Near-Infrared Band Strengths of Molecules Diluted in N2 and H20 Ice Mixtures Relevant to Interstellar and Planetary Ices

In order to determine the column density of a component of an ice from its infrared absorption features, the strengths of these features must be known. The peak positions, widths, profiles, and strengths of a certain ice component's infrared absorption features are affected be the overall composition of the ice. Many satellites within the solar system have surfaces that are dominated by H2O or N2 and ices in the interstellar medium (ISM) are primarily composed of H2O. The experiments presented here focus on the near-infrared absorption features of CO, CO2, CH4, and NH3 (nu=10,000-4,000/cm, lambda=1-2.5 microns) and the effects of diluting these molecules in N2 or H2O ice (mixture ratio of 5:1). This is a continuation of previous results published by our research group

Federal Trial Judge\u27s Reflections on the Preparation for and Trial of Civil Cases

Colloquium: The Federal Judiciary: Essays from the Benc

Designing a graphical user interface for a bilateral negotiation support system

Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) are quickly becoming the standard operating environment for most software programs and operating systems. Ease of use, rapid learning and the ability to retain complex task sequences and operations are some of the advantages attributed to this type of interface. When properly implemented the GUI can provide a natural interaction between the user and the computer. Initial acceptance and continued use of any program can be greatly enhanced by proper design of this interface. It is expected that this trend toward visual representation of a task's objects and actions will be more fully developed and expanded in future years. This thesis explored the principles of interface design with particular attention given to the specific characteristics associated with GUI design. Unique design concepts associated with Negotiation Support Systems were also considered. These design techniques and principles were then applied in the analysis and design of the graphical user interface for a Bilateral Negotiation Support System based on multiple attribute utility theory. The program was written in Microsoft Visual Basic for use under the Microsoft Windows 3.0 operating environment.http://archive.org/details/designinggraphic1094538555Lieutenant Commander, United States Naval ReserveApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

The incidence of vasculitis is increased in female stroke-prone hypertensive rats compared to males

Background: Vascular changes in hypertension share common characteristics with inflammatory wall injury. Since it is known that chronic inflammatory diseases are frequently more prevalent in females, this study tested the hypothesis that vasculitis would be more evident in female stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) than in males.Methods: Arterial lesions were characterized in the gastrointestinal tract of necropsied SHRSP and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Systolic blood pressure was measured using the tail cuff method.Results: Vasculitis was present in 54% of SHRSP (n=357). None of the WKY rats had the vascular disease (n=373). Arterial lesions were not evident in young SHRSP (1-1.5 months of age) before the development of high blood pressure. The earliest appearance of vasculitis in SHRSP was at ~8 months of age after full establishment of elevated arterial pressure. Systolic blood pressures during the maintained phase were greater than 200mmHg for SHRSP and less than 130mmHg for WKY rats (ages: 8-18 months). Within SHRSP, lesions were more common in females, in spite of higher mean systolic pressure found in males (both p<0.05). Of the female SHRSP, 70% (n=234) had severe micronodular vasculitis whereas 24% of male SHRSP showed lesions (age matched).Conclusion: These observations indicate that in SHRSP: 1) inflammatory responses in arteries occur with greater incidence compared to WKY rats; 2) there is a relationship between incidence of vascular lesions and age, but not elevated arterial pressure; and 3) there is a higher incidence of vasculitic lesions in females compared to males.Keywords: Vasculitis, Stroke-prone, SHR, WKY, Blood pressure, Hypertensio

Automotive Stirling engine development program

This is the ninth Semiannual Technical Progress Report prepared under the Automotive Stirling Engine Development Program. It covers the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth quarters of activity after award of the contract. Quarterly Technical Progress Reports related program activities from the first through the thirteenth quarters; thereafter, reporting was changed to a Semiannual format. This report summarizes the study of higher-power kinematic Stirling engines for transportation use, development testing of Mod I Stirling engines, and component development activities. Component development testing included successful conical fuel nozzle testing and functional checkout of Mod II controls and auxiliaries on Mod I engine test beds. Overall program philosophy is outlined and data and test results are presented

Automotive Stirling engine development program

The major accomplishments were the completion of the Basic Stirling Engine (BSE) and the Stirling Engine System (SES) designs on schedule, the approval and acceptance of those designs by NASA, and the initiation of manufacture of BSE components. The performance predictions indicate the Mod II engine design will meet or exceed the original program goals of 30% improvement in fuel economy over a conventional Internal Combustion (IC) powered vehicle, while providing acceptable emissions. This was accomplished while simultaneously reducing Mod II engine weight to a level comparable with IC engine power density, and packaging the Mod II in a 1985 Celebrity with no external sheet metal changes. The projected mileage of the Mod II Celebrity for the combined urban and highway CVS cycle is 40.9 mpg which is a 32% improvement over the IC Celebrity. If additional potential improvements are verified and incorporated in the Mod II, the mileage could increase to 42.7 mpg

Patents and Competition in the Automobile Industry

Methane (CH4) fluxes from world rivers are still poorly constrained, with measurements restricted mainly to temperate climates. Additional river flux measurements, including spatio-temporal studies, are important to refine extrapolations. Here we assess the spatio-temporal variability of CH4 fluxes from the Amazon and its main tributaries, the Negro, Solimoes, Madeira, Tapajos, Xingu, and Para Rivers, based on direct measurements using floating chambers. Sixteen of 34 sites were measured during low and high water seasons. Significant differences were observed within sites in the same river and among different rivers, types of rivers, and seasons. Ebullition contributed to more than 50% of total emissions for some rivers. Considering only river channels, our data indicate that large rivers in the Amazon Basin release between 0.40 and 0.58 Tg CH4 yr(-1). Thus, our estimates of CH4 flux from all tropical rivers and rivers globally were, respectively, 19-51% to 31-84% higher than previous estimates, with large rivers of the Amazon accounting for 22-28% of global river CH4 emissions.Funding Agencies|FAPESP [08/58089-9, 2011/06609-1, 2011/14502-2, 2012/17359-9]</p