Unconventional strong pinning in the low temperature phase of U_.9725Th_.0275Be_13

We investigated low field vortex dynamics in a single crystal of U_.9725Th_.0275Be_13. We found a sharp transition in the vortex creep rate at the lower transition temperature T_c2, coincident with the second jump in the specific heat. In the high-temperature phase, rather strong creep rates are observed. In the low temperature phase, the rates drop to undetectabely low levels. This behaviour indicates that a very strong pinning mechanism is present in the low temperature phase of U_.9725Th_.0275Be_13, which could be explained by the existence of domain walls, separating discreetly degenerate states of a superconductor, that can sustain fractional vortices and thus act as very strong pinning centers.Comment: 2 pages, 2 figures, accepted in PhysicaB, LT2

Retrieving Decadal Climate Change from Satellite Radiance Observations-A 100-year CO2 Doubling OSSE Demonstration.

Preparing for climate change depends on the observation and prediction of decadal trends of the environmental variables, which have a direct impact on the sustainability of resources affecting the quality of life on our planet. The NASA Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) mission is proposed to provide climate quality benchmark spectral radiance observations for the purpose of determining the decadal trends of climate variables, and validating and improving the long-range climate model forecasts needed to prepare for the changing climate of the Earth. The CLARREO will serve as an in-orbit, absolute, radiometric standard for the cross-calibration of hyperspectral radiance spectra observed by the international system of polar operational satellite sounding sensors. Here, we demonstrate that the resulting accurately cross-calibrated polar satellite global infrared spectral radiance trends (e.g., from the Metop IASI instrument considered here) can be interpreted in terms of temperature and water vapor profile trends. This demonstration is performed using atmospheric state data generated for a 100-year period from 2000-2099, produced by a numerical climate model prediction that was forced by the doubling of the global average atmospheric CO2 over the 100-year period. The vertical profiles and spatial distribution of temperature decadal trends were successfully diagnosed by applying a linear regression profile retrieval algorithm to the simulated hyperspectral radiance spectra for the 100-year period. These results indicate that it is possible to detect decadal trends in atmospheric climate variables from high accuracy all-sky satellite infrared radiance spectra using the linear regression retrieval technique

Note from the Editor-in-Chief

The 2013–14 editorial board and staff are proud to present the third and final issue in Volume 23. This issue is dedicated to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and is the first significant special issue dedicated to this country produced by a U.S. law review or journal. The dedication is in recognition of the reforms underway in Myanmar and precedes its 2015 general election. On a separate note, this issue will be the final one published under the name Pacific Rim Law & Policy Journal. Volume 24 will debut under the Journal’s new title: the Washington International Law Journal. The Journal continues to have a particular interest in the Pacific Rim region and actively collaborates with the University of Washington’s Asian Law Center. In its new form, the Journal will publish global scholarship on foreign, comparative, and international law as well as English-language translations of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean legal materials. We thank all the prior editorial boards for their dedication to the Journal and look back with gratitude at the Pacific Rim Law & Policy Journal’s many accomplishments

The Social Construction of Winston Churchill: How Life Experiences Shaped the Identity of a Wartime Legend

While the theory of social constructivism in international relations may not be the most common, it has appeared in different forms throughout the twentieth century and has gained popularity in recent years. Focusing on the formation of - and potential for change in - identities and interests, constructivism allows for the consideration of both ideational and behavioral factors in studying actors of the international community. Pairing these concepts with principles from both social identity theory and political psychology, one can observe the constructivist development of identities and interests of a political individual, such as Winston Churchill. Churchill\u27s unique life experience shaped him into a man, a politician, and a leader unprecedented for his time, enabling him to guide his nation and the Allies through the Second World War with great influence and success

Reproductive Justice Begins with Contraceptive Access in the Philippines

Restrictive Philippine laws and a lack of public funding have limited Filipinos’ access to modern contraception, resulting in high maternal mortality rates, high birth rates, unmet needs for family planning, and health disparities between the lowest-income and wealthier women. Following the 1991 decentralization reforms, Local Government Units plan, administer, and fund most Philippine health services. In the context of reproductive healthcare, decentralization has led to inequality, inadequate financing, successful opposition to contraception by the Catholic Church, and a lack of clear national standards. After a fourteen-year legislative struggle, on December 21, 2012, President Aquino signed “The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012” (“RH Act”). This legislation confirmed Filipinos’ right to contraception and reproductive healthcare and cited the 1987 Philippine Constitution as the source of those rights. On January 2, 2013, a married couple directly petitioned the Supreme Court of the Philippines, asking the Court to declare the RH Act unconstitutional. As a result, the Supreme Court enjoined the law and heard oral arguments in July and August 2013. While the RH Act is likely constitutional, the Philippine Congress did not appropriate the dedicated funding necessary to implement the law’s provisions. With inadequate financing, the RH Act will not increase access to contraception and the Philippines will fail to meet its constitutional obligations and international commitments. Unless the Philippines strengthens the implementing rules and appropriates funds, the lowest-income Filipino women will continue to experience reproductive oppression

Note from the Editor-in-Chief

The 2013-14 editorial board and staff are proud to present the first issue in Volume 23. It represents the diversity of legal topics included in the Journal’s scope and our unique access to foreign language sources otherwise unavailable in English. This issue benefits from the formation of new relationships between the Journal and individuals working throughout the Pacific Rim, specifically Justice Zhu Li of the Supreme People’s Court of China, Intellectual Property Division

An application of multiattribute decision analysis to the Space Station Freedom program. Case study: Automation and robotics technology evaluation

The results are described of an application of multiattribute analysis to the evaluation of high leverage prototyping technologies in the automation and robotics (A and R) areas that might contribute to the Space Station (SS) Freedom baseline design. An implication is that high leverage prototyping is beneficial to the SS Freedom Program as a means for transferring technology from the advanced development program to the baseline program. The process also highlights the tradeoffs to be made between subsidizing high value, low risk technology development versus high value, high risk technology developments. Twenty one A and R Technology tasks spanning a diverse array of technical concepts were evaluated using multiattribute decision analysis. Because of large uncertainties associated with characterizing the technologies, the methodology was modified to incorporate uncertainty. Eight attributes affected the rankings: initial cost, operation cost, crew productivity, safety, resource requirements, growth potential, and spinoff potential. The four attributes of initial cost, operations cost, crew productivity, and safety affected the rankings the most