Dense ideals and cardinal arithmetic

From large cardinals we show the consistency of normal, fine, $\kappa$-complete $\lambda$-dense ideals on $\mathcal{P}_\kappa(\lambda)$ for successor $\kappa$. We explore the interplay between dense ideals, cardinal arithmetic, and squares, answering some open questions of Foreman

Embeddings into outer models

We explore the possibilities for elementary embeddings $j : M \to N$, where $M$ and $N$ are models of ZFC with the same ordinals, $M \subseteq N$, and $N$ has access to large pieces of $j$. We construct commuting systems of such maps between countable transitive models that are isomorphic to various canonical linear and partial orders, including the real line $\mathbb R$

Random function tracer Patent

Design and development of random function tracer for obtaining coordinates of points on contour map

A Computational Analysis of Marine Fenders Under Heavy Weather Mooring Conditions

Dynamic loading of marine fenders is a situation that is unique to the United States Navy (USN), due to the use of Heavy Weather Mooring (HWM) for naval vessels during extreme weather events, such as hurricanes. Traditional analysis has not been concerned with the fender reaction on vessel hulls. However, newer classes of Naval ships, such as the Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), have designs that emphasize speed and agility, resulting in them having thinner hulls more susceptible to damage from fenders. In traditional analysis, fenders are modeled as idealized springs, with static- load derived spring constants from manufacturer charts. This has been adequate for previous warships, however with more susceptible warships, a better understanding of the fenders reaction is required. Two series of tests were created, a quasi-static testing series to mimic the current testing of fenders, and a cyclic testing series to determine if repeated loading of fenders would provoke a dynamic response. Testing was conducting using a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model to simulate ship impacts on fenders and determine the fender reaction to both quasi-static and cyclic loading patterns at various ship velocities and loading periods. This research found that there was no impact on fender response provoked by a difference in loading speed during quasi-static testing. Cyclic loading of the fender did not provoke a dynamic fender response even under a second wave cycle where impact forcing could have caused different behavior. Overall, results of this study lead to the conclusions that both loading speed and loading pattern do not have an impact on fender response

Best Management Practices for Reducing Coyote Depredation on Loggerhead Sea Turtles in South Carolina

Sea turtles are one of the most recognizable and charismatic marine species worldwide that continue to be the focus of many conservationists. However, their populations and habitat continue to decline at an alarming rate due to predation, development, pollution, rising sea levels, beach erosion, and commercial fishing. Consequently, maximizing nest production in current nesting regions is fundamental to sea turtle recovery efforts. On the southeastern coast, coyotes (Canis latrans) and sea turtles have a relatively new relationship, but the presence of this latest predator has dramatically reduced sea turtle nesting success in certain areas. An active predator management strategy for coyotes will promote and support sea turtle recovery goals. The Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center (TYWC), located off the coast of South Carolina is a sanctuary for marine turtles with pristine, undisturbed beaches. In South Carolina the Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is responsible for managing beaches that support nesting habitat for threatened and endangered sea turtles. The TYWC is composed of North, Cat, South and Sand Islands which provides an ideal area for researching sea turtle predation. In South Carolina the most common sea turtle is the loggerhead (Caretta caretta), which averages approximately 300 nests each summer on the TWYC (Griffin 2011). The first coyote appeared on TWYC in 2006 and their populations continued to flourish on the islands. In 2009, coyotes on South Island were responsible for 52% of the total loggerhead sea turtle egg loss which is equivalent to approximately one third of South Carolina\u27s documented egg loss for that year (SCDNR 2010). Coyotes tend to depredate nests on the initial night of oviposition and this has made daily surveys ineffective as a management strategy. As a result, the SCDNR is examining alternative management practices to decrease coyote-induced sea turtle depredation. Specific objectives to address the project goals are to 1) determine the effectiveness of night patrols in reducing coyote predation on loggerhead sea turtle nests 2) develop an infrared camera survey to determine if coyote predation on post-emergence hatchlings is an additional mortality and 3) determine the presence or absence of coyotes around loggerhead sea turtle nests and hatchlings. In 2010, scheduled night patrol surveys were conducted, which ultimately reduced the amount of nest depredation from a staggering 52% in 2009, to 15%. The first coyote predation was successfully documented on post-emergence sea turtle hatchlings utilizing infrared cameras. These results were used to calculate the overall estimated decrease in hatchling productivity. Following the first season in the winter of 2010, trapping and removal of coyotes was completed on South Island beach. These management strategies decreased the total amount of coyote presence on the beaches and lead to a nest depredation rate of only 2.6% for the entire 2011 season. Based on the results of this study, recommendations are provided for reducing coyote predation on sea turtle nests and hatchlings throughout the Southeast