Studies of satellite support to weather modification in the western US region

The applications of meteorological satellite data to both summer and winter weather modification programs are addressed. Appraisals of the capability of satellites to assess seedability, to provide real-time operational support, and to assist in the post-experiment analysis of a seeding experiment led to the incorporation of satellite observing systems as a major component in the Bureau of Reclamations weather modification activities. Satellite observations are an integral part of the South Park Area cumulus experiment (SPACE) which aims to formulate a quantitative hypothesis for enhancing precipitation from orographically induced summertime mesoscale convective systems (orogenic mesoscale systems). Progress is reported in using satellite observations to assist in classifying the important mesoscale systems, and in defining their frequency and coverage, and potential area of effect. Satellite studies of severe storms are also covered

The Cosmological Constant in the Quantum Multiverse

Recently, a new framework for describing the multiverse has been proposed which is based on the principles of quantum mechanics. The framework allows for well-defined predictions, both regarding global properties of the universe and outcomes of particular experiments, according to a single probability formula. This provides complete unification of the eternally inflating multiverse and many worlds in quantum mechanics. In this paper we elucidate how cosmological parameters can be calculated in this framework, and study the probability distribution for the value of the cosmological constant. We consider both positive and negative values, and find that the observed value is consistent with the calculated distribution at an order of magnitude level. In particular, in contrast to the case of earlier measure proposals, our framework prefers a positive cosmological constant over a negative one. These results depend only moderately on how we model galaxy formation and life evolution therein.Comment: 18 pages, 4 figures; matches the version published in Phys. Rev.

Wintertime local circulations in northwestern Colorado

May 1990.Includes bibliographical references.Sponsored by National Science Foundation ATM-8407543.Sponsored by National Science Foundation ATM-8519370.Sponsored by National Science Foundation ATM-8404776.Sponsored by National Science Foundation ATM-8813345.Sponsored by the Bureau of Reclamation

Crystal Distortion and the Two-Channel Kondo Effect

We study a simple model of the two-channel Kondo effect in a distorted crystal. This model is then used to investigate the interplay of the Kondo and Jahn-Teller effects, and also the Kondo effect in an impure crystal. We find that the Jahn-Teller interaction modifies the characteristic energy scale of the system below which non-Fermi-liquid properties of the model become apparent. The modified energy scale tends to zero as the limit of a purely static Jahn-Teller effect is approached. We find also that the non-Fermi-liquid properties of the quadrupolar Kondo effect are not stable against crystal distortion caused by impurities.Comment: 11 page

Satellite laser ranging work at the Goddard Space Flight Center

Laser ranging systems, their range and accuracy capabilities, and planned improvements for future systems are discussed, the systems include one fixed and two mobile lasers ranging systems. They have demonstrated better than 10 cm accuracy both on a carefully surveyed ground range and in regular satellite ranging operations. They are capable of ranging to all currently launched retroreflector equipped satellites with the exception of Timation III. A third mobile system is discussed which will be accurate to better than 5 cm and will be capable of ranging to distant satellites such as Timation III and LAGEOS

Conformity and controversies in the diagnosis, staging and follow-up evaluation of canine nodal lymphoma: a systematic review of the last 15 years of published literature

Diagnostic methods used in the initial and post-treatment evaluation of canine lymphoma are heterogeneous and can vary within countries and institutions. Accurate reporting of clinical stage and response assessment is crucial in determining the treatment efficacy and predicting prognosis. This study comprises a systematic review of all available canine multicentric lymphoma studies published over 15 years. Data concerning diagnosis, clinical stage evaluation and response assessment procedures were extracted and compared. Sixty-three studies met the eligibility criteria. Fifty-five (87.3%) studies were non-randomized prospective or retrospective studies. The survey results also expose variations in diagnostic criteria and treatment response assessment in canine multicentric lymphoma. Variations in staging procedures performed and recorded led to an unquantifiable heterogeneity among patients in and between studies, making it difficult to compare treatment efficacies. Awareness of this inconsistency of procedure and reporting may help in the design of future clinical trials

Free Fermions and Thermal AdS/CFT

The dynamics of finite temperature U(N) gauge theories on $S^3$ can be described, at weak coupling, by an effective unitary matrix model. Here we present an exact solution to these models, for any value of $N$, in terms of a sum over representations. Taking the large $N$ limit of this solution provides a new perspective on the deconfinement transition which is supposed to be dual to the Hawking-Page transition. The large $N$ phase transition manifests itself here in a manner similar to the Douglas-Kazakov phase transition in 2d Yang-Mills theory. We carry out a complete analysis of the saddle representation in the simplest case involving only the order parameter ${\rm Tr}U$. We find that the saddle points corresponding to thermal $AdS$, the small black hole and the large black hole can all be described in terms of free fermions. They all admit a simple phase space description {\it a la} the BPS geometries of Lin, Lunin and Maldacena.Comment: (0+34) pages and 9 figures, v2 references adde

Evaluating the impact of pyrethroid insecticide resistance on reproductive fitness in Sitobion avenae

Resistance to insecticides used to control pests is an issue of increasing concern for agriculture. The grain aphid, Sitobion avenae, is a pest of cereals and grasses worldwide, and one of growing concern due to the evolution of resistance to certain insecticides. Resistance confers benefits to insects by enabling them to survive exposure to insecticide compounds; however, the mutations conferring resistance may also penalise the insect in pesticide-free environments due to fitness costs associated with the new phenotype. Here we tested the hypothesis of a reproductive penalty linked to the knockdown resistance mutation (kdr) to pyrethroid insecticides. The mutation occurs predominantly in a single SA3 clone. To date, only heterozygous-resistant forms (kdr-SR) have been detected in populations in Ireland and the UK, and this suggests that a fitness penalty may preclude the formation of both male and female heterozygous-resistant sexual forms. By designing an experiment which included a resistant and a non-resistant clone, we were able to simulate reduced daylight and temperature conditions which, in nature, trigger sexual reproduction and therefore study the responses of each clone. This allowed us to detect the switch from asexual females to sexual females and males and report on the conditions associated with the production of sexual forms. The results showed that both aphid clones were able to produce sexual forms with no difference in the onset of sexual reproduction, although reproductive strategies differed between clones. The later onset of male forms in the SA3 clone may decrease the likelihood of mating interactions to create fully resistant (kdr-RR) genotypes and this may constitute a fitness penalty due to pyrethroid resistance