Stellar and nuclear-physics constraints on two r-process components in the early Galaxy

Proceedings of "Nuclei in the Cosmos 2000", Aarhus, DanmarkComment: 3 pages, 2 figures; to be publ. in Nucl. Phys.

Coarse-grained strain dynamics and backwards/forwards dispersion

A Particle Tracking Velocimetry experiment has been performed in a turbulent flow at intermediate Reynolds number. We present experimentally obtained stretching rates for particle pairs in the inertial range. When compensated by a characteristic time scale for coarse-grained strain we observe constant stretching. This indicates that the process of material line stretching taking place in the viscous subrange has its counterpart in the inertial subrange. We investigate both forwards and backwards dispersion. We find a faster backwards stretching and relate it to the problem of relative dispersion and its time asymmetry.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figue

Bar Representation Before Legislature Proves Effective

As reported in your July issue of the State Bar Journal, the Legislative Committee, instead of maintaining a lobby in the ordinary sense at the legislative session, determined to have a representative at the legislative session, whose function it would be to advise the legislators the wishes of the bar as to certain measures. In addition, it was contemplated that the representative at the bar could create good will by assisting the members of the legislature in drafting bills or amendments and conferring with them on matters of procedure and rules. The committee was fortunate in having Mr. Richard B. Ott of Ritzville as its representative, by reason of his legislative experience, three terms in the legislature, during one of which he was acting Speaker of the House. Mr. Ott is eminently qualified for the position. Reports from legislators indicate that Mr. Ott\u27s work was performed well and that excellent results were obtained. Here is his report

Tabletop Roleplaying Games, and Depression, and Social Anxiety

Tabletop roleplaying games are a form of in-person, multiplayer games structured around group interaction, set rules of gameplay, strategic group decision-making, and active character roleplaying. While such games have existed in some form for thousands of years, more recent and modern versions such as Dungeons & Dragons and Call of Cthulhu have increased attention not only to their use as a form of entertainment, but as a potential extension of play and drama therapies in a clinical setting (Henrich & Worthington, 2021). Research into therapeutic roleplaying, both with and without gameplay supervision, has shown a promising association with increased understanding of self-concept and connection to community (House, 1970; Winn, 1959) as well as a reduction in depression and anxiety (Burroughs, Wagner & Johnson, 1997; Wilde, 1994). However, historical investigations have primarily concentrated on younger age groups, where play and drama therapies are most frequently employed with a focus on individual development and social connections. Recent studies have only just begun to investigate tabletop roleplaying games as a form of therapy; most have involved case-studies that apply theoretical and anecdotal, rather than clinical, evidence of the game’s effective use as a mechanism of therapeutic treatment (Blackmon, 1994; Hughes, 1988). The current study aimed to extend tabletop roleplaying games research to a larger, more varied age group (N = 184, Average age = 19.2) through an online survey. We assessed participants’ experience with the game and reasons to participate in gameplay, and examined any correlations between levels of depression, anxiety, and amount of participation in tabletop roleplaying games. Results indicated that participants generally felt that tabletop roleplaying games supported their mental health and well-being, particularly in the context of roleplaying in their character’s mindset. We also found that frequency of play was negatively associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety, even when controlling for predictors on the Ten Item Personality Measure such as conscientiousness and emotional stability (Gosling et al., 2003). This may suggest that individuals experiencing depression or social anxiety turn to tabletop roleplaying games as a method to respond and cope with these symptoms. The implications of these results, as well as directions for further research in this burgeoning field are discussed

Microelectromagnets for Trapping and Manipulating Ultracold Atomic Quantum Gases

We describe the production and characterization of microelectromagnets made for trapping and manipulating atomic ensembles. The devices consist of 7 fabricated parallel copper conductors 3 micrometer thick, 25mm long, with widths ranging from 3 to 30 micrometer, and are produced by electroplating a sapphire substrate. Maximum current densities in the wires up to 6.5 * 10^6 A / cm^2 are achieved in continuous mode operation. The device operates successfully at a base pressure of 10^-11 mbar. The microstructures permit the realization of a variety of magnetic field configurations, and hence provide enormous flexibility for controlling the motion and the shape of Bose-Einstein condensates.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Exploring classically chaotic potentials with a matter wave quantum probe

We study an experimental setup in which a quantum probe, provided by a quasi-monomode guided atom laser, interacts with a static localized attractive potential whose characteristic parameters are tunable. In this system, classical mechanics predicts a transition from a regular to a chaotic behavior as a result of the coupling between the longitudinal and transverse degrees of freedom. Our experimental results display a clear signature of this transition. On the basis of extensive numerical simulations, we discuss the quantum versus classical physics predictions in this context. This system opens new possibilities for investigating quantum scattering, provides a new testing ground for classical and quantum chaos and enables to revisit the quantum-classical correspondence

Inhibition causes ceaseless dynamics in networks of excitable nodes

The collective dynamics of a network of excitable nodes changes dramatically when inhibitory nodes are introduced. We consider inhibitory nodes which may be activated just like excitatory nodes but, upon activating, decrease the probability of activation of network neighbors. We show that, although the direct effect of inhibitory nodes is to decrease activity, the collective dynamics becomes self-sustaining. We explain this counterintuitive result by defining and analyzing a "branching function" which may be thought of as an activity-dependent branching ratio. The shape of the branching function implies that for a range of global coupling parameters dynamics are self-sustaining. Within the self-sustaining region of parameter space lies a critical line along which dynamics take the form of avalanches with universal scaling of size and duration, embedded in ceaseless timeseries of activity. Our analyses, confirmed by numerical simulation, suggest that inhibition may play a counterintuitive role in excitable networks.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figure

Quantifying the impact of land-use changes at the event and seasonal time scale using a process-oriented catchment model

International audienceFor optimal protection and integrated management of water resources, it is essential to quantify the impact of land-use change on hydrological regimes at various scales. Using the process-based catchment model TACD (tracer aided catchment model, distributed) two land-use scenarios were analysed for the rural and mountainous Dreisam basin (258 km2): (i) an increase in urban area from 2.5% to 5%) and (2) a change in a natural land-use to a different kind of forest. The first scenario was executed using the land-use change modelling kit LUCK, which takes into account the topology of land-use patterns in their true positions. The TACD model simulated all hydrological processes both spatially and temporally (200 m x 200 m grid, hourly mode). For this study, physically-based modules for interception and evapotranspiration (Penman and Monteith approach) were introduced. The model was applied to the Dreisam basin with minimal calibration. Both an independent validation period and discharge in four nested sub-basins were modelled well without recalibration. Evapotranspiration patterns were simulated, successfully, both temporally and spatially. Increased urbanisation had an insignificant effect on the modelled single events and on the yearly water balance. Simulations of discharge from forest assuming natural land-use conditions indicated an increase in transpiration, a decrease in groundwater recharge and, consequently, in groundwater discharge (?15%), in surface water discharge (?4%), and in flood peaks (?22.7% and ?7.3% for convective and advective floods, respectively). Land-use impact was also investigated by applying rainfall scenarios of different durations (12, 24, 48, and 72 hours), magnitudes (recurrence intervals of 1, 5, and 10 years) and distributions of rainfall intensity, i.e. maximum intensity at the beginning, middle or end of the event. Clearly, the intensity distribution has a greater influence on the simulated events than different land use scenarios. This indicated the importance of careful determination of the temporal intensity distribution for flood peak predictions. The use of the process-based model enabled analysis of the altered composition of internal runoff components. This demonstrated the potentially significant local effects of land-use change on flood runoff and water quality. Keywords: land-use change, predictions, process-based catchment modelling, flood modelling, evapotranspiration modelling TACD model, LUC