A note on the Harris-Kesten Theorem

Recently, a short proof of the Harris-Kesten result that the critical probability for bond percolation in the planar square lattice is 1/2 was given, using a sharp threshold result of Friedgut and Kalai. Here we point out that a key part of this proof may be replaced by an argument of Russo from 1982, using his approximate zero-one law in place of the Friedgut-Kalai result. Russo's paper gave a new proof of the Harris-Kesten Theorem that seems to have received little attention.Comment: 4 pages; author list changed, acknowledgement adde

Nomenclatural and systematic changes in the Neotropical caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera)

Recent work on a catalog of the Neotropical caddisflies has resulted in the recognition of the need to make numerous lectotype designations, new names for homonyms, specific and generic synonymies, transfers of species between genera and genera between families, and placement of many long ignored names of Muller and others

A Stochastic Finite Element Model for the Dynamics of Globular Macromolecules

We describe a novel coarse grained simulation method for modelling the dynamics of globular macromolecules, such as proteins. The macromolecule is treated as a viscoelastic continuum that is subject to thermal fluctuations. The model includes a non-linear treatment of elasticity and viscosity with thermal noise that is solved using finite element analysis. We have validated the method by demonstrating that the model provides average kinetic and potential energies that are in agreement with the classical equipartition theorem. In addition, we have performed Fourier analysis on the simulation trajectories obtained for a series of linear beams to confirm that the correct average energies are present in the first two Fourier bending modes. We have then used the new modelling method to simulate the thermal fluctuations of a representative protein over 500ns timescales. Using reasonable parameters for the material properties, we have demonstrated that the overall deformation of the biomolecule is consistent with the results obtained for proteins in general from atomistic molecular dynamics simulations

Estimate of size and interaction of the South African anchovy and pilchard populations

Bibliography: pages 85-87.The size of the South African anchovy and pilchard population was estimated using Virtual Population Analysis (Gulland 1965). These estimates were used to test classical stock recruit models as well as to investigate possible stock interactions. The population biomass of the pilchard indicated a severe decline after 1959 from a level of approximately 2 000 000 metric tons to about 200 000 metric tons in the mid 1970's. This change was in agreement with catch per unit effort estimates of abundance (Newman et al in press). The anchovy abundance remained fairly constant at about 300 000 metric tons during the period 1965 - 1974 for which estimates could be made. During 1976 the pilchard stock showed a partial recovery of its former abundance. Adult and recruit stocks of both anchovy and pilchard were fitted to the Ricker (1954) and Beverton and Holt (1957) stock/recruit curves, but there was insufficient data to allow a decision to be made as to which model was appropriate for either stock. The anchovy and pilchard populations or age groups within them do not appear to interact in a very definite manner. Attempts to quantify interactions using Virtual Population Analysis have not been successful although better estimates of the strength of age-groups would be possible if the variation in natural mortality with age was understood. The fact that elements of the stock of anchovy and pilchard do not appear to be rigorously related indicates the importance of understanding which environmental factors are critical to survival. A difference between the area in which recruitment takes place and the area in which most adults are caught indicates a movement of young fish onto the west coast fishing grounds. The movements were substantiated by observations of catch per unit effort of juveniles on the west coast in each month of the fishing season

Festival attendees’ perceptions of green hotel practices

Lodging managers and festival organizers have an incentive to understand how festival attendees perceive hotels with green practices in place. Lodging managers that understand how to segment, target, and position their offerings to festival attendees, including sustainable practices, can maximize financial gains from festivals. Festival organizers have related interests: they want to minimize negative impacts on the physical environment and maximize positive customer experiences on- and off-site. To provide insights into festival attendees’ perceptions of green hotel practices that may assist both sets of stakeholders, the manuscript presents the results of a survey of convenience samples from two food festivals. The analysis relates perceptions of hotel desirability to characteristics that have been successfully used to segment consumers in the past. While gender, education, income, and environmental values did not have significant relationships with whether thirteen sustainable hotel practices increased hotel desirability, age, festival type, and environmental self-efficacy did. The results, which include ratings of the thirteen green practices, have practical implications for festival organizers, who may want to collaborate with greener hotels to minimize negative festival outcomes, and for lodging managers, who may want to segment festival audiences and appropriately position hotel sustainable practices for festival attendees

New species of microcaddisfl ies (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) from the western United States, Canada, Mexico and Belize

Nine new species of Hydroptilidae (Trichoptera) are described and illustrated from the western United States, Canada, Mexico, and Belize: Seven new species in the genus Neotrichia Morton, N. buenoi, N. chihuaha, N. contrerasi, N. maya, N. palitla, N. pinnacles, and N. sandersoni, one new species in the genus Oxyethira Eaton, O. pembertonensis, and one new species in the genus Metrichia Ross, M. mastelleri. As well, new records for N. mobilensis and Mayatrichia tuscaloosa and new illustrations of the male genitalia of Neotrichia jarochita Bueno- Soria and Mayatrichia tuscaloosa Harris and Sykora are provided

New species of microcaddisfl ies (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) from the western United States, Canada, Mexico and Belize

Nine new species of Hydroptilidae (Trichoptera) are described and illustrated from the western United States, Canada, Mexico, and Belize: Seven new species in the genus Neotrichia Morton, N. buenoi, N. chihuaha, N. contrerasi, N. maya, N. palitla, N. pinnacles, and N. sandersoni, one new species in the genus Oxyethira Eaton, O. pembertonensis, and one new species in the genus Metrichia Ross, M. mastelleri. As well, new records for N. mobilensis and Mayatrichia tuscaloosa and new illustrations of the male genitalia of Neotrichia jarochita Bueno- Soria and Mayatrichia tuscaloosa Harris and Sykora are provided

New species of microcaddisfl ies (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) from the western United States, Canada, Mexico and Belize

Nine new species of Hydroptilidae (Trichoptera) are described and illustrated from the western United States, Canada, Mexico, and Belize: Seven new species in the genus Neotrichia Morton, N. buenoi, N. chihuaha, N. contrerasi, N. maya, N. palitla, N. pinnacles, and N. sandersoni, one new species in the genus Oxyethira Eaton, O. pembertonensis, and one new species in the genus Metrichia Ross, M. mastelleri. As well, new records for N. mobilensis and Mayatrichia tuscaloosa and new illustrations of the male genitalia of Neotrichia jarochita Bueno- Soria and Mayatrichia tuscaloosa Harris and Sykora are provided

Probing Decoherence with Electromagnetically Induced Transparency in Superconductive Quantum Circuits

Superconductive quantum circuits (SQCs) comprise quantized energy levels that may be coupled via microwave electromagnetic fields. Described in this way, one may draw a close analogy to atoms with internal (electronic) levels coupled by laser light fields. In this Letter, we present a superconductive analog to electromagnetically induced transparency (S-EIT) that utilizes SQC designs of present day experimental consideration. We discuss how S-EIT can be used to establish macroscopic coherence in such systems and, thereby, utilized as a sensitive probe of decoherence.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure