Monk Parakeets

Since their introduction to the United States in the 1960s, monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) have thrived (Figure 1). Until recently, annual Christmas Bird Count data have shown the population to be increasing exponentially. In the U.S., monk parakeets are an urban and suburban species with few natural predators, diseases or other factors limiting their population growth. They exploit backyard bird feeders and non-native ornamental plants for food. Monk parakeets often construct nests on man-made structures, such as electric utility facilities and cell phone towers. Because the birds build and maintain nests throughout the year, management of parakeet populations has become an important issue for utility companies in several States. Currently, nest removal and trapping are the primary methods for managing parakeet damage, Reproductive control through contraception shows promise for long-term, nonlethal population management

Closed-circuit television welding- electrode guidance system

Closed-circuit TV camera is mounted parallel to electrode and moves along with it. Camera is scanned along seam so seam is viewed parallel with scan lines on TV monitor. Two fiber optics illuminators are attached to guidance system; they illuminate seam for TV camera

TID and SEE Testing Results of Altera Cyclone Field Programmable Gate Array

Total ionizing dose (TID) and single event effects testing was performed on Altera Cyclone FPGAs. The devices exhibit slight performance degradation to a TID of 1 Mrad (Si), but also exhibited single event latchup at a low LET

Hospital Community Benefits After the ACA: The Emerging Federal Framework

Outlines the federal framework on requirements for hospitals to provide community benefit activities in exchange for tax-exempt status under the 2010 healthcare reform, including community health needs assessments; state policy options; and challenges

Hospital Community Benefits After the ACA: Building on State Experience

Analyzes hospitals' requirements to conduct community health needs assessments, financial assistance and billing and collection policies, and community benefit reporting and oversight strategies. Notes implications for federal and state law and practice

Ds+→ϕρ+D_s^+ \to \phi \rho^+ Decay

Motivated by the experimental measurement of the decay rate, $\Gamma$, and the longitudinal polarization, $P_L$, in the Cabibbo favored decay $D_s^+\to \phi {\rho}^{+}$, we have studied theoretical prediction within the context of factorization approximation invoking several form factors models. We were able to obtain agreement with experiment for both $\Gamma$ and $P_L$ by using experimentally measured values of the form factors $A_1^{D_s\phi}(0)$, $A_2^{D_s\phi}(0)$ and $V^{D_s\phi}(0)$ in the semi-leptonic decay $D_s^+\to \phi l^{+}\nu_{l}$. We have also included in our calculation the effect of the final state interaction ($fsi$) by working with the partial waves amplitudes $S$, $P$ and $D$. Numerical calculation shows that the decay amplitude is dominated by $S$ wave, and that the polarization is sensitive to the interference between $S$ and $D$ waves. The range of the phase difference $\delta_{SD} = \delta_S - \delta_D$ accommodated by experimental error in $P_L$ is large.Comment: 7 pages, LaTe

Aerodynamic heating on the corrugated surface of a 10.2 deg half-angle blunted cone at Mach 6.7

A 10.2 deg half-angle blunted cone with corrugated surfaces was tested in the Langley 8-foot high-temperature structures tunnel to measure the aerodynamic heating of its surfaces. The tests were made in a turbulent boundary layer at angles of attack of 0 deg, 5 deg, and 10 deg. Heating of the windward side was in reasonable agreement with theoretical turbulent predictions for a smooth cone, while heating on the leeward side was between laminar and turbulent predictions as a result of local transitional flow or flow separation produced by high lee-side pressures. Localized heating measurements indicated a significant increase in heating at large cross-flow angles, with the maximum heating rates occurring where the flow reattaches on the upstream side of the corrugation crest and the minimum occurring on the downstream side where the flow is separated

THE ROLES OF MONEY IN AN ECONOMY AND THE OPTIMUM QUANTITY OF MONEY

What is the optimum quantity of money in a society? This paper answers this question both from the perspective of a utility maximizing model with real balances in the utility function, and employing an inventory theoretic model which focuses attention on the costs of transacting in different markets and on the storage costs of holding money. We find that socially optimal transactions patterns and inventory holdings can be induced by paying interest on money and bonds equal to the net rate of return on capital. This conclusion is however only valid if it is costless for the society to institute and operate such an interest payment mechanism. In a world where it is costly to institute and operate an interest payment mechanism, a social optimum requires that the rate of return on money and bonds must equal the net rate of return on capital minus the social cost of inducing individuals to hold optimal quantities of financial assets. It is therefore necessary to take account of both the potential gains in welfare from instituting interest payments on money and the real potential costs of such a policy. Reference: Economica, November, 1973 pp. 416-431