Reconnecting Magnetic Flux Tubes as a Source of In Situ Acceleration in Extragalactic Radio Sources

Many extended extragalactic radio sources require a local {\it in situ\/} acceleration mechanism for electrons, in part because the synchrotron lifetimes are shorter than the bulk travel time across the emitting regions. If the magnetic field in these sources is localized in flux tubes, reconnection may occur between regions of plasma \be (ratio of particle to magnetic pressure) $<<1$, even though $\beta$ averaged over the plasma volume may be \gsim 1. Reconnection in low $\beta$ regions is most favorable to acceleration from reconnection shocks. The reconnection X-point regions may provide the injection electrons for their subsequent non-thermal shock acceleration to distributions reasonably consistent with observed spectra. Flux tube reconnection might therefore be able to provide $in\ situ$ acceleration required by large scale jets and lobes.Comment: 14 pages, plain TeX, accepted to Ap.J.Let

Archaeological Investigations of Areas Slated for Expansion at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas

During April 1982, archaeologists from the Center for Archaeological Research I at The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted a cultural resource survey and evaluation of 31.68 acres slated as an expansion area for the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. This was accomplished through two research methods: (1) a literature and archival search supplemented by interviews of knowledgeable persons; followed by (2) a planned subsurface archaeological testing program. One badly disturbed prehistoric site (41 BX 346) of unknown function and unknown chronological association was discovered as a result of these activities. Because the site is so severely mixed and displaced, it is not considered a significant cultural resource, and no further work is recommended. The legal basis for this cultural resource survey and evaluation is described in the federal legislation of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, the Archeological and Historical Preservation Act of 1974 and Executive Order 11593

International economic effects of halting the voyage of CSAV RIO PUELO

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2005.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.Includes bibliographical references (p. 89-92).On July 31, 2004, the United States Coast Guard stopped the container ship CSAV RIO PUELO off of the Port of New York and New Jersey. The intervention occurred after the United States Department of Agriculture received information that an on board container of Argentine lemons carried a "harmful biological substance." The ship was held at anchor for six days as officials tested containers and weighed options of how to best prevent the release of a hazardous substance. Although the information which triggered the government response later proved to be a hoax, the economic damage to particular businesses was quite real. This thesis explores the broad range of costs - direct, indirect and intangible - incurred by businesses up and down supply chains within the shipping industry. Because the United States government may seek to recover its incident response costs, these intervention expenses have been included as well. The costs reported here were obtained by interviewing representatives of the businesses and government agencies involved in the incident. The case provides decision makers in both business and government a detailed example of the economic costs (real and potential) of Homeland Security interventions leading, presumably, to more informed policy and practice.by Eric C. Jones.M.B.A

Spatial and Temporal Variation in Aedes albopictus Prevalence Across Arkansas

Aedes albopictus is a well-known vector species of mosquito that is responsible for the transmission of many arboviruses such as Zika, chikungunya, and dengue. The objective of this study was to quantify spatial and temporal variation of Ae. albopictus prevalence in Arkansas. We used egg abundance as a proxy for mosquito prevalence. Across 2 years, we worked with the Arkansas Department of Health to collect mosquito eggs using oviposition traps. Eggs were desiccated, counted, and later rehydrated in rearing chambers and raised through adulthood for species determination (\u3e99% Ae. albopictus). We determined mean egg abundance by month, year, and latitude, and mapped egg counts using graduated colors to visually display county-specific patterns. Egg abundance was typically low in spring, peaked in late summer, and steadily declined through fall. We observed north-south differences in egg abundance, though the latitude of peak abundance varied across years and throughout the seasons. This research reveals temporal variation and spatial hotspots in Ae. albopictus prevalence across the state of Arkansas and highlights existing gaps that should be targeted by future sampling

Frontal Asymmetry Changes Following Passive Hypo-Hydration

INTRODUCTION: Universal fluid consumption prescriptions among both athletic and non-athletic populations continue to elicit both hypo- and hyper-hydration (hypo-natremia). Thus, the need to find novel, identifiable traits within individuals who may be at higher risk to experience hypo-hydration, as well as hypo-natremia, is warranted. Of interest here, behavior is encapsulated by two motivational systems, referred to as approach/reward (R) or avoidance/non-reward (NR), respectively, in response to a behavioral stimulus. Past literature has revealed individual differences in consumptive traits of various types of foods between these motivational systems. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in R/NR via frontal asymmetry (FA) in response to water exposure during eu-hydrated and hypo-hydrated conditions. METHODS: Participants included 11 active college-aged males. Electroencephalogram (EEG) assessed motivational orientations to water exposure in both eu-hydrated and hypo-hydrated states. A 5-minute nature video was used to stabilize mood, followed by 2 minutes of resting EEG recordings. Then, FA was assessed with the presentation of a glass of ice water, with instructions to observe, but not consume for 3 minutes. FA was re-assessed in the same manner following a dehydration trial (~90 minutes). Dehydration trials were performed in a controlled hot water bath at a mean of 39°C. Participants remained in the bath until 2% body mass loss, with no fluids consumed during the trials. Urine voids were collected before and after trials to assess specific gravity and color. Body core temperature was monitored throughout the protocol, with \u3e38.7°C set as criteria for removal of the subject. Participants reported perceptual affective measures using Feeling Scale (FS) and Felt Arousal Scale (FAS) throughout the session to account for any unusual affective states. RESULTS: EEG recordings were applied to the Frontal Asymmetry Index (FAI) (log right alpha power minus log left alpha power). Higher scores on the FAI indicate higher relative left frontal lobe activity, corresponding with an affinity to the water (R). Where as a lower score indicates higher relative right frontal activity, thus less reward motivation (NR). Data revealed that FAI decreased by a mean of 0.055 ±0.193 from eu-hydrated to hypo-hydrated states, with eu-hydration and hypo-hydration FAI of 0.06 and 0.004 respectively. In total, 37.4% of participants showed an increased affinity(R) for water from eu-hydrated to hypo-hydrated states. Pre and post FS were 2.91 ±1.51 and .45 ±2.88, respectively. Pre and post FAS were 2.73 ±.91 and 2.73 ±1.49. DISCUSSION: Reward/non-reward motivational orientations (affinity to water) changes were less than anticipated following hypo-hydration trials. However, data revealed that 37.4% of participants exhibited an increased affinity for water according to the FAI scale, supporting the hypothesis. It is possible that 2% body mass loss is insufficient to create distinct motivational orientation changes within the present sample. Due to the small sample size of the current study, little can be concluded thus far. Additional research addressing the aforementioned methods, as well as larger sample sizes is warranted. If motivational orientation state variability can be established during eu-hydrated and hypo-hydrated states, it may be possible to identify the consumptive tendencies of fluids among individuals

A Survey of Databases Covering Specific Water-borne Diseases and Water Contaminants in the US-Mexico Border Region.

The contractor was asked to investigate databases that cover diarrhea/diarrhea-causing pathogens, hepatitis A, amebiasis/amebas, shigellosis/shigella, typhoid/typhoid fever, lead/lead compounds, arsenic, chromium, and all types of pesticides as either health outcomes (poisoning or infection) or as water contamination (chemical or biological). Specifically, the contractor was provided with a variety of metadata parameters with which to describe each database. Those parameters can be found in the Water Metadata Spreadsheet accompanying this summary report. All databases/datasets included in this report contain data on the border region. No databases have been included that were determined to lack data on the border region. In a few cases (such as NHANES), it was not determined exactly how much of the nationally collected data (or state- collected data, in other cases) comes from the border area. The Water Summary Report, Metadata Spreadsheet, and Water Contact Spreadsheet are intended for use by members of the Environment Health Work Group and technical experts in their effort to develop appropriate environmental health indicators for the Border 2012 Initiative. This summary report is meant to provide an overview of the databases reviewed and an analysis and recommendations regarding the utility of each of the indicators. This Water Summary Report is organized as follows: Introduction, Methodology, Results (metadata collection strategy, review of collected databases), and Discussion (database coverage, utility of proposed indicators, suggested activities)

Wealth-Based Trust and the Development of Collective Action.

Interpersonal trust is one possible mechanism by which wealth inequality affects the success of efforts in cooperation. Specifically, the presence of perceived economic differences between members of small agricultural cooperatives in northwest Ecuador’s agricultural frontier encourages trust in the wealthy, thus facilitating co-op development during the initial stage of cooperative formation. But, such inequality and exclusive trust may later negatively affect co-op success. These generalizations are only possible through refinement of frameworks currently used in the study of heterogeneity and common pool resource management. This refinement is made possible by paying closer attention to the operationalization of variables and by synthesizing already existing hypotheses