Bostonia. Volume 1

Founded in 1900, Bostonia magazine is Boston University's main alumni publication, which covers alumni and student life, as well as university activities, events, and programs

Ecosystem Indicators for Southeast Florida Beaches

Beaches are landscapes valued greatly by society that, when left intact, support both ecological processes and sustainable use. In Southeast Florida, alteration of beaches for human activities has resulted in substantial loss of naturally functioning beach habitat and reduced biological diversity. Of particular importance is the impact on beach ecosystems by the nearby urban environment. Beaches are dynamic ecosystems that require space to respond to natural or anthropogenic drivers and pressures. In Southeast Florida urban development has restricted or eliminated the ability of most beaches to react in a manner that conserves the natural beach ecosystem. The frequent result has been oceanfront areas with little or no intact habitat and limited opportunities for restoration, though disturbed beaches may still provide opportunities for ocean access, recreation, and other socioeconomic benefits in highly urbanized areas. In this study we present a framework for selecting relevant ecosystem and human dimension indicators for the beaches of Southeast Florida based on a conceptual ecosystem model. To capture the level of beach disturbance relatively pristine beaches and heavily altered beaches are endpoints in a continuum of beach development. Across this continuum nine indicators were developed to quantify beach condition. For ecosystem and human dimension assessment purposes, beaches were placed in one of two overarching categories: undeveloped to relatively undeveloped, or developed to highly developed. Nine selected indicators are then assessed as good (3), fair (2), or poor (1). The indicator scores are then summed to produce a total condition score for a particular beach. This simple ‘stop-light’ method is applicable even when there are limited data and provides a useful relative determination of ecosystem condition. Case studies employing this methodology are presented for three Southeast Florida beaches ranging from mostly natural to highly developed condition. The indicators directly address both ecosystem and human dimension goals to maintain healthy, sustainable, and useable beaches and shorelines in Southeast Florida. They balance the ecological benefit of remaining natural beaches with the societal benefit of recreational opportunities and access for a beach that can no longer sustain a suitable ecosystem. Each indicator is interpreted in the context of the trade-offs among multiple ecosystem and human dimension services provided by most beaches in Southeast Florida

MULTI-ANTENNAE DETECTION IN A CP-FTMW SPECTROMETER

Recent experiments in the Grubbs research group at the Missouri University of Science and Technology have shown that it is possible to detect rotational spectra of molecules in a CP-FTMW using multiple horn antennae. This allows for increased sensitivity by sampling a free induction decay twice, each at a separate point. Utilizing the traditional CP-FTMW design of two horns – one for transmitting and one for receiving – it was shown that it is possible to use the transmitting horn to also receive spectra. This is achieved by adding a circulator, switch, and low noise amplifier in the circuit between the transmitting horn and power amplifier. This has been demonstrated on OCS, 1,3-Difluorobenzene, and Chloroacetone in the 6-18 GHz region of the electromagnetic spectrum utilizing a variety of experimental setups. Results of these experiments as well as issues with implementing this setup, such as FID phasing issues and data analysis, will be discussed. \begin{wrapfigure}{R} {0pt} \hspace{1.5in} \includegraphics[scale=0.6] {circulatordiagram.eps} \end{wrapfigure

CP-FTMW spectrum of bromoperfluoroacetone

The microwave spectrum of the molecule bromoperfluoroacetone has been measured on a CP-FTMW spectrometer in the 6-18. The spectra is dense with approximately one transition every 5 MHz on average. Rotational constants, centrifugal distortion parameters, and nuclear quadrupole coupling constants will be discussed. Comparisons to the previously studied halogen analogues perfluoroacetone\footnote{J.-U. Grabow, N. Heineking, and W. Stahl, \textit{Z. Naturforsch.} \textbf{46a} (1991) 229.} and chloroperfluoroacetone\footnote{G. Kadiwar, C. T. Dewberry, G. S. Grubbs II and S. A. Cooke, Talk \textbf{RH11}, 65$^{\mathrm{th}}$ International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy (2010).} along with a family of previously studied halogenated acetone species will be discussed

Selected factors in assessment of a group designated as school malperformers

This project was an exploratory study of malperformance among 60 children of the seventh grade of Creston Elementary School, Portland, Oregon. This class was described as an unusually disruptive group of students and was considered by the school as one of the most troublesome in the school\u27s history. The study focused on the concept of malperformance itself and the reliability of its assessment. The major hypotheses were these: A. Teachers are consistent among themselves in how they define malperformance and in whom they designate as malperformers. B. Teachers\u27 and students\u27 estimation of the students\u27 level of performance in the dimensions studied are positively related. C. A student\u27s self- estimate in the dimensions studied is related to his estimation of the teachers\u27 reactions to himself and other classmates. D. The label of malperformer is associated with lower ratings of personal behavior and school subject grades. E. Factors of sex, age, and I.Q. are related to malperformance. Each teacher was asked to define malperformance and to identify malperforming students in his class. Each student was asked if he felt the teachers liked him and if they were fair. The Pupil Behavior Inventory, a standardized rating scale dealing with five areas of student behavior, was administered to the teachers. A modified form of the Pupil Behavior Inventory was administered to each student to determine his assessment of his own behavior. Data was analyzed with the help of statistical tests of significance to evaluate the differences obtained. Study findings did not support the hypothesis that teachers are consistent among themselves in how they defined malperformance and which students they designated as malperformers. Each teacher defined malperformance differently. Some definitions were difficult to interpret in terms of specific behavior traits. There was only 53% marginal probability that another teacher would agree when a particular teacher designated a student as a malperformer. However, there was no significant difference in the number of students designated as malperformers by each teacher. Findings yielded evidence to support the hypothesis that there is a positive relationship between the teachers\u27 estimation of the level of the students\u27 performance and the students\u27 own assessment of his performance. Students designated as normals rated their own behavior very close to teacher ratings. In contrast, malperformers tended to rate their behavior much higher than did the teachers; however, malperformer self-ratings were lower than self-ratings of the other students. Malperformers had lower personal behavior and school subject grades than normals. No significant differences were found in the I. Q. range for normals and malperformers. This study indicated the need for more clarity and consistency in evaluating student behavior within the school system. Further research is needed in developing methods of identifying problem students and how to best help them

THE COMPLETE HEAVY-ATOM STRUCTURE OF A CP-FTMW CHIRAL TAG PRECURSOR, VERBENONE

The microwave spectrum of the chiral molecule verbenone has been recorded from 2-18 GHz using two CP-FTMW spectrometers. 2-8 GHz data has been acquired on a 2-8 GHz CP-FTMW located at the University of Virginia and 8-18 data has been acquired on a 6-18 GHz spectrometer located at Missouri S&T. From the experiments the authors were able to assign and fit isotopologues corresponding to each heavy atom position (either $^{13}$C or $^{18}$O), providing for the heavy-atom structure. Previous studies by Evans and coworkers have been added to these measurements in a global fit of the parent species.footnote{C. J. Evans, S. M. Allpress, P. D. Godfrey, D. McNaughton, textit{67th International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy}, 2012, textbf{RH13}}$^{,}$footnote{S. M. Allpress, textit{Spectroscopic and Computational Chemistry Studies on Terpene Related Compounds}, University of Leicester, 2015, Chapter 6: Microwave Spectroscopy of Verbenone} The measurement and assignment of these transitions provide preliminary information needed for enatiomeric excess experiments using CP-FTMW van der Waals-type chiral tagging processes already being performed at UVa. Details of the experiment, fits, and structure will be discussed

STRUCTURE DETERMINATION OF 5 MEMBERED SILANE RINGS USING MICROWAVE SPECTROSCOPY

Rotational spectra of 1,1-difluorosilacyclopent-3-ene, silacyclopent-3-ene, 1-(chloromethyl)-1-fluoro-silacyclopentane, 1,1-difluorosilacyclopentane, and 1,1-difluorosilacylopent-2-ene were observed in the 6 to 18 GHz range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The molecular structure for the parent and various isotopically substituted species were obtained from their respective spectra. The differences in structure between these similar molecules will be presented, showing how different functional groups and bond locations affect the overall structure and behavior of each system (ring puckering effects, etc.). Comparisons to similar known cyclopentane and silacyclopentane species will be presented

A SIMPLE, COST EFFECTIVE RAMAN-FLUORESCENCE SPECTROMETER FOR USE IN LABORATORY AND FIELD EXPERIMENTS

begin{wrapfigure}{r}{0pt} includegraphics[scale=0.4]{lowcostraman.eps} end{wrapfigure} Research, design, construction, and operation of a portable mixed Raman and Fluorescence type spectrometer implemented by the Missouri University of Science and Technology�s Mars Rover Design Team will be presented. This spectrometer has been built for the team�s annual competition. The spectrometer, completely built by undergraduates, is designed to use a 50 mW, 532 nm constant waveform laser to probe a sample of soil to find bacteria or bio-markers. However, initial tests of the spectrometer were carried out in a laboratory environment making the spectrometer also suitable for simple undergraduate physical chemistry or chemical physics laboratory experiments. The final cost of the device is roughly $2100, weighs 1.4 kg, and is 22.9 cm x 22.6 cm in size. Integrating the spectrometer with a computer database, results from the competition, complications of fitting mixed Raman-Fluorescence spectra, and future ideas/improvements will also be discussed

TUNNELING EFFECTS AND CONFORMATION DETERMINATION OF THE POLAR FORMS OF 1,3,5-TRISILAPENTANE

1,3,5-trisilapentane has been synthesized and studied in the microwave region for the first time using CP-FTMW spectroscopy. The lowest calculated energy structure, $C_2$ is essentially non-polar with a calculated dipole of 0.063 D. However, slightly higher in energy at 145 cm$^{-1}$ and 196 cm$^{-1}$ are the calculated energies for the $C_1$ and $C_{2v}$ conformations, respectively. These structures have much larger dipoles calculated at 1.07 D for $C_1$ and 4.88 D for $C_{2v}$. Both of these structures have been confirmed using experiment and the details of such analysis will be discussed._x000d_ _x000d_ In addition to the structure determination, 1,3,5-trisilapentane has two terminal -SiH$_3$ groups. The calculated barrier to internal rotation of these groups are calculated to be 327.5 cm$^{-1}$ for $C_{2v}$ and 343.2 cm$^{-1}$ for $C_1$. This barrier is low enough to exhibit internal rotation splitting in the spectra and treatment of these motions in the analysis will be discussed

Bostonia. Volume 3

Founded in 1900, Bostonia magazine is Boston University's main alumni publication, which covers alumni and student life, as well as university activities, events, and programs