Five Myths About Early Modern Japan

In Ainslee Embree and Carol Gluck, eds., Asia in Western and World History: A Guide for Teaching (Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1997), pp. 514-522. The title reflects the argument that there are basic continuing misunderstandings of Japan in the early modern Tokugawa era (1600-1868), namely: 1) "Japan is a small country"; 2) "Tokugawa Japan was a feudal society"; 3) "The Tokugawa regime was a police state"; 4) "Tokugawa Japan was divided into sour separate classes"; 5) "Tokugawa Japan isolated itself from the rest of the world for more than two centuries." I argue that these assertions are misleading and simplistic

Theoretical Transmission Spectra During Extrasolar Giant Planet Transits

The recent transit observation of HD 209458 b - an extrasolar planet orbiting a sun-like star - confirmed that it is a gas giant and determined that its orbital inclination is 85 degrees. This inclination makes possible investigations of the planet atmosphere. In this paper we discuss the planet transmission spectra during a transit. The basic tenet of the method is that the planet atmosphere absorption features will be superimposed on the stellar flux as the stellar flux passes through the planet atmosphere above the limb. The ratio of the planet's transparent atmosphere area to the star area is small, approximately 10^{-3} to 10^{-4}; for this method to work very strong planet spectral features are necessary. We use our models of close-in extrasolar giant planets to estimate promising absorption signatures: the alkali metal lines, in particular the Na I and K I resonance doublets, and the He I $2^3S$ - $2^3P$ triplet line at 1083.0 nm. If successful, observations will constrain the line-of-sight temperature, pressure, and density. The most important point is that observations will constrain the cloud depth, which in turn will distinguish between different atmosphere models. We also discuss the potential of this method for EGPs at different orbital distances and orbiting non-solar-type stars.Comment: revised to agree with accepted paper, ApJ, in press. 12 page

Executive functioning: Developmental consequences on adolescents with histories of maltreatment

Research suggests that children exposed to maltreatment have deficits in executive functioning (EF) but few studies have focused on the adolescent age group. We investigated whether maltreated adolescents had lower EF abilities compared to a group of non-maltreated adolescents. Forty adolescents with histories of child maltreatment, together with a comparison group of 40 non-maltreated adolescents matched for age, completed a comprehensive battery of EF tasks. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses, controlling for IQ, were carried out using each of the EF measures as dependent variables to examine group differences. Maltreated adolescents had significantly lower performance than non-maltreated adolescents on tasks assessing executive loaded working memory, fluency, and inhibition, although switching was not impaired. Emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD) were included in additional regression analyses to examine whether these variables would explain the group differences. The inclusion of EBD variables had some effect on group differences, as expected, but did not eliminate them. These findings support the theory that impairments in EF may be one underlying reason why adolescents with histories of maltreatment struggle to cope both inside and outside the classroom

Oil supply forecasting : a disaggregated process approach

This paper represents a collective effort by the Supply Analysis Group of the M.I.T. World Oil Project which is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Grant no. SIA75-00739.U.S. National Science Foundation under Grant no. SIA75-00739

Predicting Response of An Aquifer System to Uranium Extraction Oakville Aquifer, Texas Coastal Plain

The initiation or expansion of uranium mining in the Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, utilizing both open-pit and in situ leach methods, raises concerns about the potential impact on groundwater within mineralized aquifers. Understanding the hydrodynamics, hydrochemical evolution, and matrix geochemistry of these aquifers is essential for implementing effective protection and restoration measures. To address these issues, the Oakville Sandstone, a significant Coastal Plain aquifer, was chosen as a natural laboratory. The Oakville Sandstone comprises deposits from several major fluvial systems. The geometry and composition of these facies, along with superimposed structures and topography, play crucial roles in determining groundwater flux, aquifer transmissivity, and regional hydrochemical evolution. Groundwater flux patterns, especially in the shallow portions suitable for mining, can be highly complex and influenced by various factors. Studying the interrelationships among hydrodynamics, hydrochemical evolution, and matrix geochemistry in the Oakville Sandstone will provide insights into the effectiveness of mining technology in coastal plain aquifer systems. This research will aid in developing strategies to mitigate potential impacts on groundwater quality and ensure sustainable uranium mining practices in the region.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Implications of Biomechanical Characters of Subterranean Clover on Feeding by Redlegged Earth Mite and Intake by Sheep

The biomechanical strength of cultivars of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) that were either resistant or susceptible to feeding by redlegged earth mite was measured as the force required to penetrate their leaves with a small, tubular punch. Cotyledons and trifoliate leaves of cultivars resistant to redlegged earth mite had a higher resistance to penetration than cultivars susceptible to redlegged earth mite. Cotyledons needed a higher force to penetrate than trifoliate leaves. The possible implications for intake by ruminants of differences between the cultivars in biomechanical characters are also considered