Northern Bobwhite Densities in Burned and Unburned Redberry Juniper Rangelands

We estimated northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) densities in 4- and 8-year-old burned and unburned redberry juniper (Juniperus pinchottii) dominated pastures. The 4-year-old burned (800 ha), 8-year-old burned (1,200 ha), and unburned (1,200 ha) treatment sites had 8.6, 14.4, and 22.3% woody canopy coverage, respectively. Fall bobwhite densities were estimated from 122 flushes of quail coveys on 592.8 km of transects. Data histograms indicated that bobwhite were harder to detect in the unburned area than in the 8-year-old burn or the 4-year-old burn. Probability detection functions were smaller in the old burn than the new burn (P = 0.05) or unburned area (P = 0.02). Bobwhite densities of 43.3, 55.1, and 60.5 birds/100 ha in the 4-year-old burn, 8-year-old burn, and unburned sites, respectively, were similar (P \u3e 0.10). Prescribed burning to control redberry juniper and manage bobwhite should be designed to maintain intermittent shrub coverage

Temperature Response of 129 Xe Depolarization Transfer and Its Application for Ultrasensitive NMR Detection

Trapping xenon in functionalized cryptophane cages makes the sensitivity of hyperpolarized (HP) 129Xe available for specific NMR detection of biomolecules. Here, we study the signal transfer onto a reservoir of unbound HP xenon by gating the residence time of the nuclei in the cage through the temperature-dependant exchange rate. Temperature changes larger than ∼0.6  K are detectable as an altered reservoir signal. The temperature response is adjustable with lower concentrations of caged xenon providing more sensitivity at higher temperatures. Ultrasensitive detection of functionalized cryptophane at 310 K is demonstrated with a concentration of 10 nM, corresponding to a ∼4000−fold sensitivity enhancement compared to conventional detection. This makes HPNMR capable of detecting such constructs in concentrations far below the detection limit of benchtop uv-visible light absorbance

Task A and B Final Report

TASK A: TRANSMISSION OF HIGH FREQUENCY RADIO WAVES VIA THE ARCTIC IONOSPHERE The experimental data collected from June, 1949, through October, 1955, under "Experiment Aurora" are summarized in tables and diagrams, and the results discussed. The monthly percentage of signal in-time is tabulated for all frequencies and paths» and depicted in diagrams which allow a comparison of the values for East-West and South-North propagation at each frequency. The average monthly percentage of signal in-time for the duration of the 6-year experiment is tabulated for each frequency and path. The seasonal variation in signal in-tim e over short and long paths is shown in diagrams. The relationship found between ionospheric absorption, as measured with a vertical incidence sounder, and signal outtime is summarized. The average diurnal variation in the hourly median signal strength during the different seasons of the year 1954-55 is given for all frequencies on both short and long paths in the East-West as well as the South-North direction. The diurnal variation in signal strength on the 4 me short paths and the 12 me long paths is compared for a year of high solar activity (1949-50) and a year of low solar activity (1954-55). The discussion of the data reveals that a statistically significant difference in signal in-time for the East-West and South-North paths exists only for the 12 me short paths. The larger percentage of signal in-time found in the East-West direction is believed to be due to a preferential orientation of sporadic ionization along parallels to the auroral zone. A study of the critical frequencies observed for the E and F -layers shows that the difference in daytime variation of median signal strength between the years 1949-50 and 1954-55 may be explained in terms of the normal changes in F -layer ionization and D -layer absorption in course of a sunspot cycle. The results indicate that in Alaska there will generally be F2 propagation during daytime of 4 me signals over 350 km paths throughout the solar cycle. Regular daytime F2 propagation of 12 me signals over 1100 km paths may be expected in years of reasonably high solar activity only. TASK B: PULSE TECHNIQUES. BACK-SCATTER AT 12 MC A 12 me radar has been constructed and operated using A -scope and PPI displays. Experimental results obtained during several months of continuous operation are reviewed and discussed. Both direct backscatter and ground back-scatter echoes, as well as possible combinations of these modes, have been observed. The echoes are classified in two groups according to their fading rates, those fading rapidly being associated with aurora. Figures show the diurnal, range and range-azimuth distribution of the observed auroral echoes as well as some special types of echoes recorded. The direct back-scatter echoes at 12 me associated with aurora show characteristics consistent with those observed at YHF when allowance is made for the frequency difference. At 12 me the fading rate is proportionally less than at higher frequencies; and aspect sensitivity, although weaker, still exists. The diurnal variation is similar to that found at VHF. Several types of echoes not observed at VHF are mentioned. TASK B: VISUAL OBSERVATIONS OF THE AURORA Analysis is made of the visual auroral data obtained at five stations in Alaska during the observing period of 1954-55. Graphs giving the percentage occurrence of aurora at each station as a function of latitude and time of day are presented. Graphs showing the variation of auroral occurrence with geomagnetic latitude as a function of magnetic K index are also given. The conclusions drawn from the 1954-55 data are substantially the same as those based on the 1953-54 data discussed in an earlier report.List of Figures – List of Tables – Section I Purposes – Section II Abstract – Section III Publications, Reports and Conferences – Section IV Factual Data : 1 Task A. Transmission of High Frequency of Radio Waves Via the Arctic Ionosphere ; 2 Task B. Pulse Techniques Back-Scatter at 12 Mc. ; 3 Task B Visual Observations of the Aurora – Section V Conclusions – Section VI Recommendations – Section VII PersonnelYe

Locating the LCROSS Impact Craters

The Lunar CRater Observations and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) mission impacted a spent Centaur rocket stage into a permanently shadowed region near the lunar south pole. The Sheperding Spacecraft (SSC) separated \sim9 hours before impact and performed a small braking maneuver in order to observe the Centaur impact plume, looking for evidence of water and other volatiles, before impacting itself. This paper describes the registration of imagery of the LCROSS impact region from the mid- and near-infrared cameras onboard the SSC, as well as from the Goldstone radar. We compare the Centaur impact features, positively identified in the first two, and with a consistent feature in the third, which are interpreted as a 20 m diameter crater surrounded by a 160 m diameter ejecta region. The images are registered to Lunar Reconnaisance Orbiter (LRO) topographical data which allows determination of the impact location. This location is compared with the impact location derived from ground-based tracking and propagation of the spacecraft's trajectory and with locations derived from two hybrid imagery/trajectory methods. The four methods give a weighted average Centaur impact location of -84.6796\circ, -48.7093\circ, with a 1{\sigma} un- certainty of 115 m along latitude, and 44 m along longitude, just 146 m from the target impact site. Meanwhile, the trajectory-derived SSC impact location is -84.719\circ, -49.61\circ, with a 1{\sigma} uncertainty of 3 m along the Earth vector and 75 m orthogonal to that, 766 m from the target location and 2.803 km south-west of the Centaur impact. We also detail the Centaur impact angle and SSC instrument pointing errors. Six high-level LCROSS mission requirements are shown to be met by wide margins. We hope that these results facilitate further analyses of the LCROSS experiment data and follow-up observations of the impact region.Comment: Accepted for publication in Space Science Review. 24 pages, 9 figure

Characterization of novel SSR markers in diverse sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) germplasm

Background: Sainfoin is a perennial forage legume with beneficial properties for animal husbandry due to the presence of secondary metabolites. However, worldwide cultivation of sainfoin is marginal due to the lack of varieties with good agronomic performance, adapted to a broad range of environmental conditions. Little is known about the genetics of sainfoin and only few genetic markers are available to assist breeding and genetic investigations. The objective of this study was to develop a set of SSR markers useful for genetic studies in sainfoin and their characterization in diverse germplasm.Results: A set of 400 SSR primer combinations were tested for amplification and their ability to detect polymorphisms in a set of 32 sainfoin individuals, representing distinct varieties or landraces. Alleles were scored for presence or absence and polymorphism information content of each SSR locus was calculated with an adapted formula taking into account the tetraploid character of sainfoin. Relationships among individuals were visualized using cluster and principle components analysis. Of the 400 primer combinations tested, 101 reliably detected polymorphisms among the 32 sainfoin individuals. Among the 1154 alleles amplified 250 private alleles were observed. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 24 with an average of 11.4 alleles. The average polymorphism information content reached values of 0.14 to 0.36. The clustering of the 32 individuals suggested a separation into two groups depending on the origin of the accessions.Conclusions: The SSR markers characterized and tested in this study provide a valuable tool to detect polymorphisms in sainfoin for future genetic studies and breeding programs. As a proof of concept, we showed that these markers can be used to separate sainfoin individuals based on their origin

Uncertainty propagation through a point model for steady-state two-phase pipe flow

Uncertainty propagation is used to quantify the uncertainty in model predictions in the presence of uncertain input variables. In this study, we analyze a steady-state point-model for two-phase gas-liquid flow. We present prediction intervals for holdup and pressure drop that are obtained from knowledge of the measurement error in the variables provided to the model. The analysis also uncovers which variables the predictions are most sensitive to. Sensitivity indices and prediction intervals are calculated by two different methods, Monte Carlo and polynomial chaos. The methods give similar prediction intervals, and they agree that the predictions are most sensitive to the pipe diameter and the liquid viscosity. However, the Monte Carlo simulations require fewer model evaluations and less computational time. The model predictions are also compared to experiments while accounting for uncertainty, and the holdup predictions are accurate, but there is bias in the pressure drop estimatespublishedVersio

Cerberus : a human powered vehicle

A recumbent trike was designed and built for the ASME Human Powered Vehicle Challenge held at San Jose State University in April of 2013. The vehicle was designed to be low cost for use by commuters and as primary transportation in developing countries. The vehicle placed 11th overall in the competition out of 29 teams, and scored 8th in the innovation event, which was its best ranking out of the 5 individual events

Synthesis and characterization of semisynthetic analogs of the antifungal occidiofungin

Occidiofungin is a broad-spectrum antifungal compound produced by Burkholderia contaminans MS14. It is a cyclic glycol-lipopeptide with a novel beta-amino acid (NAA2) containing a hydroxylated C18 fatty acid chain with a xylose sugar. This study reports a strategy to produce semisynthetic analogs of occidiofungin to further explore the structure activity relationships of this class of compounds. Oxidative cleavage of the diol present on carbons five C(5) and six C(6) removes the xylose and twelve carbons of the fatty acid chain. The resulting cyclic peptide product, occidiofungin aldehyde, is devoid of antifungal activity. However, the free aldehyde group on this product can be subjected to reductive amination reactions to provide interesting semisynthetic analogs. This chemistry allows the quick generation of analogs to study the structure activity relationships of this class of compounds. Despite restoring the length of the aliphatic side chain by reductive amination addition with undecylamine or dodecylamine to the free aldehyde group, the obtained analogs did not demonstrate any antifungal activity. The antifungal activity was partially restored by the addition of a DL-dihydrosphingosine. The dodecylamine analog was demonstrated to still bind to the cellular target actin, suggesting that the diol on the side chain of native occidiofungin is important for entry into the cell enabling access to cellular target F-actin. These results show that the alkyl side chain on NAA2 along with the diol present on this side chain is important for occidiofungin’s antifungal activity