Lattice congruences of the weak order

We study the congruence lattice of the poset of regions of a hyperplane arrangement, with particular emphasis on the weak order on a finite Coxeter group. Our starting point is a theorem from a previous paper which gives a geometric description of the poset of join-irreducibles of the congruence lattice of the poset of regions in terms of certain polyhedral decompositions of the hyperplanes. For a finite Coxeter system (W,S) and a subset K of S, let \eta_K:w \mapsto w_K be the projection onto the parabolic subgroup W_K. We show that the fibers of \eta_K constitute the smallest lattice congruence with 1\equiv s for every s\in(S-K). We give an algorithm for determining the congruence lattice of the weak order for any finite Coxeter group and for a finite Coxeter group of type A or B we define a directed graph on subsets or signed subsets such that the transitive closure of the directed graph is the poset of join-irreducibles of the congruence lattice of the weak order.Comment: 26 pages, 4 figure

Who\u27s Responsible for This? The Globalization of Healthcare in Developing Countries

One aspect of globalization in the developed world is the privatization of services once provided by government. This trend is also arising in developing countries, albeit for different reasons, and an area where this privatization is occurring is healthcare. Despite this privatization, the standard of healthcare in many developing countries is unacceptably low. This Note provides an analysis of this phenomenon in one country-Pakistan, a developing country that has increasingly come to rely on private providers, nongovernmental organizations, and international relief groups for the provision of healthcare-in order to draw conclusions that can be applied elsewhere. While this privatization does serve some needs, it is insufficient to provide an appropriate standard of care to the people of Pakistan. This Note argues that in order to raise the standard of healthcare in developing countries, the flow of privatization should be stemmed in favor of greater government involvement. This involvement includes collaborating with private and international entities, providing better oversight, and supplying financial incentives, in addition to the direct provision of healthcare. With evidence that greater government involvement in the provision of healthcare improves standards of healthcare, this Note concludes that the privatization of healthcare in developing countries should be viewed with caution. Further, there should be an emphasis on increased government involvement to ensure the levels of healthcare to which the people of Pakistan and many other developing countries are entitled

Estimates of Toad Headed Agama Density in Three Steppe Habitats of Mongolia

The toad headed agama (Phrynocephalus versicolor) ranges across the arid steppe regions of southern and western Mongolia and represents one of the most common reptiles in the country. However, few details of the species’ population characteristics exist, which may be important for evaluating population trends and assessing its conservation status. We estimated toad headed agama density in Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, Mongolia based on surveys conducted in the summers (June-September) of 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2009. We conducted surveys in three steppe habitats including tall grassland (n = 7), shrub-steppe (n = 7), and semi-shrub steppe (n = 8), and calculated density using Distance methods. Mean density across all surveys was 66 agamas/ha (95% C.I. = 48-92; range: 24/ha to 112/ha). Agamas occurred in highest density in shrub-steppe and lowest in semi-shrub across years. Density was similar between shrub-steppe and tall grassland. However, density in these habitats was significantly higher than in semishrub steppe. Our results provide baseline estimates of toad headed agama density, and indicate that agamas are capable of reaching higher density than previously recorded. Our results also suggest that agamas benefit from the cover afforded by more structurally complex vegetation communities like those found in shrub-steppe and tall grassland habitats

Estimates of Toad Headed Agama Density in Three Steppe Habitats of Mongolia

The toad headed agama (Phrynocephalus versicolor) ranges across the arid steppe regions of southern and western Mongolia and represents one of the most common reptiles in the country. However, few details of the species’ population characteristics exist, which may be important for evaluating population trends and assessing its conservation status. We estimated toad headed agama density in Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, Mongolia based on surveys conducted in the summers (June-September) of 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2009. We conducted surveys in three steppe habitats including tall grassland (n = 7), shrub-steppe (n = 7), and semi-shrub steppe (n = 8), and calculated density using Distance methods. Mean density across all surveys was 66 agamas/ha (95% C.I. = 48-92; range: 24/ha to 112/ha). Agamas occurred in highest density in shrub-steppe and lowest in semi-shrub across years. Density was similar between shrub-steppe and tall grassland. However, density in these habitats was significantly higher than in semishrub steppe. Our results provide baseline estimates of toad headed agama density, and indicate that agamas are capable of reaching higher density than previously recorded. Our results also suggest that agamas benefit from the cover afforded by more structurally complex vegetation communities like those found in shrub-steppe and tall grassland habitats

Sub-wavelength surface IR imaging of soft-condensed matter

Outlined here is a technique for sub-wavelength infrared surface imaging performed using a phase matched optical parametric oscillator laser and an atomic force microscope as the detection mechanism. The technique uses a novel surface excitation illumination approach to perform simultaneously chemical mapping and AFM topography imaging with an image resolution of 200 nm. This method was demonstrated by imaging polystyrene micro-structures

Comparative Morphology of Two Sympatric Species of Hedgehog in Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, Mongolia

Daurian hedgehog (Mesechinus dauuricus) and long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus) inhabit Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, Mongolia and both species appear to occupy similar niches. We gathered morphological measurements to test for differences between species and sexes. We hoped to gain insight into the mechanisms that allow the species to coexist. We collected morphometric data from 10 long-eared hedgehogs (6 male, 4 female) and 18 Daurian hedgehogs (10 male, 7 female, and 1 unknown sex). Only total body length in Daurian hedgehogs differed significantly between males and females. Otherwise, we found no significant differences between morphometric measures of male and female hedgehogs of either species. Daurian hedgehogs were larger than long-eared hedgehogs for every measurement except for ear length; however, only girth, weight, and length of ear differed significantly. A general linear model found that animal girth best differentiated the two species. Coexistence of species that occupy similar niches generally occurs through the differential use of resources and may be inferred from morphological differentiation. We plan continued research to better explore resource partitioning between the two species

Comparative Morphology of Two Sympatric Species of Hedgehog in Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, Mongolia

Daurian hedgehog (Mesechinus dauuricus) and long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus) inhabit Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, Mongolia and both species appear to occupy similar niches. We gathered morphological measurements to test for differences between species and sexes. We hoped to gain insight into the mechanisms that allow the species to coexist. We collected morphometric data from 10 long-eared hedgehogs (6 male, 4 female) and 18 Daurian hedgehogs (10 male, 7 female, and 1 unknown sex). Only total body length in Daurian hedgehogs differed significantly between males and females. Otherwise, we found no significant differences between morphometric measures of male and female hedgehogs of either species. Daurian hedgehogs were larger than long-eared hedgehogs for every measurement except for ear length; however, only girth, weight, and length of ear differed significantly. A general linear model found that animal girth best differentiated the two species. Coexistence of species that occupy similar niches generally occurs through the differential use of resources and may be inferred from morphological differentiation. We plan continued research to better explore resource partitioning between the two species

Ecology of Argali in Ikh Nartiin Chuluu, Dornogobi Aymag

Argali sheep (Ovis ammon) are listed as threatened in both Mongolia and internationally. Yet, little is known about the biology and ecology of this species. Available data suggests that Argali in Mongolia are declining due to direct poaching and competition with domestic livestock. We initiated several research projects to better understand and conserve the species. In this report we discuss Argali ecology using radio telemetry. We captured and radio-collared 36 Argali using drive-nets, lamb captures, and dating from 2000–2004. Fifteen collared animals have died: 2 due to capture techniques, 8 from predation, 1 from starvation and exposure, 1 from disease, 1 due to maternal neglect, and 2 of unknown causes. In addition, 1 collar ceased working and 4 others dropped off prematurely. We have collected more than 1,040 locations through mid-May 2004. The majority of the Argali were captured in the northern portion of Ikh Nart. Animals have primarily restricted their movements to that area and have not exhibited seasonal movement patterns. Mean home range size for 17 animals with sufficient data (\u3e 45 days with locations) was 57±3.7 km2 (range = 30– 80 km2) using the 100% minimum convex polygon method, with areas of predicted occurrence of 76±5.3km2 for 95% kernel, 32±3.7 km2 for 75% kernel, 11±1.6 km2 for 50% kernel, and 3.8±0.5 km2 for 25% home ranges. Predation was the main cause (72.7%) of mortality in the collared animals for which cause of death could be determined (non-study related)

Effects of large-scale heathland management on thermal regimes and predation on adders Vipera berus

Management prescriptions for species of conservation concern often focus on creating appropriate habitat conditions, but the spatial scales over which these actions are applied can potentially impact their success. In Northwestern Europe, preventing further loss of lowland heathland through successional changes often involves the mechanical removal of vegetation, creating large blocks of open homogenous habitat. We investigate the influence of this broad-scale habitat management on a heathland specialist, the adder Vipera berus. By deploying temperature loggers and Plasticine adder models in heathland areas with and without complex vegetation cover, we show that (1) cleared areas lack both the temperature variation adders need to thermoregulate effectively and suitable refuges from dangerously high summer temperatures, and (2) attacks by dogs and trampling by grazing livestock are significantly more frequent in cleared areas and closer to footpaths. Habitat management strategies that retain some structural complexity of vegetation within cleared areas, and diverting footpaths away from cleared areas and/or strategic placement of barrier hedging around these areas could potentially reduce the exposure of adders to high predation risk and thermal extremes

Ecology of Eurasian Black Vultures (\u3ci\u3eAegypius monachus\u3c/i\u3e) in Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, Mongolia

We studied the nesting ecology and movement patterns of Eurasian black vultures (Aegypius monachus) nesting in and near Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, Dornogobi Aimag, Mongolia. From 2003 till 2009, we monitored nesting pairs from incubation to fledging and compared nesting success for pairs nesting on rocks and trees. We captured chicks just prior to fledging to apply leg bands and wing tags. We also captured adults in June and attached solar-powered global positioning system (GPS)/satellite telemetry units, leg bands, and wing tags. We collected resighting data on marked birds opportunistically and telemetry data on tagged birds. We monitored 363 nesting pairs from 2003 to 2009. Most nesting failures occurred during the ~ 55 day incubation period. Overall, 50.9 % of nesting pairs raised a chick to fledgling. Nesting substrate (i.e., rock or tree) did not influence nesting success. Between 2006 and 2009 we received reports of sightings for 21 individual birds and on 37 occasions (n = 1 – 6 sightings/bird). Thirty three sightings (89%) came from South Korea between November and March, with other sightings in Mongolia, China, and Russia. We placed five GPS/satellite telemetry units on adult vultures in 2008 and 2009, but one did not work. We received 2,767 locations from the other four units through 2009. Adult vultures used large foraging areas, covering a mean minimum convex polygon home range of 27,025 ±11,922 SE km2, a mean 95% kernel home range of 4,953 ±1,596 SE km2, and a mean core home range (i.e., 50% kernel) of 526 ±168 SE km2. Our data suggest that only fledgling and juvenile birds disperse from Mongolia in late autumn/early winter, while adults remain in near their nesting sites, but we require more data. We do not know if most of our tagged birds travel to Korea or the large number of reported re-sightings there result from the stronger bird watching tradition in that country compared with other areas