AN ANALYTICAL APPROACH TO THE CONSOLIDATION OF COUNTIES IN NORTH AND WEST FLORIDA BASED ON EDUCATIONAL EFFICIENCY CRITERIA

Political Economy,

Introduction, Recovery, and Limited Establishment of Coleophora klimeschiella (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae) on Russian Thistles, Salsola australis, in Southern California

Although case-bearing leafmining larvae of Coleophora klimeschiella Toll were released on Russian thistles, Salsola australis R. Brown (Chenopodiaceae), at 13 locations in southern California during 1977-85, this biological control agent remained tenuously established at only one site by late 1986. Neither insectary-reared or field-collected stocks released in field cages or in the open in numbers of 100-600 per site appeared to foster colony establishment. Poor host-plant adaptation as well as predation and parasitism by indigenous natural enemies are identified as possible sources of biotic resistance to the establishment of this imported insect. The predator, Phylobacnus atriplexus (Foster) (Coleoptera: Cleridae), and the primary parasite, Macroneura sp. (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), found attacking C. klimeschiella, also are known from gall-midge hosts on native saltbushes (Atriplex spp., also Chenopodiaceae

Discovery and Characterization of Transiting SuperEarths Using an All-Sky Transit Survey and Follow-up by the James Webb Space Telescope

Doppler and transit surveys are finding extrasolar planets of ever smaller mass and radius, and are now sampling the domain of superEarths (1-3 Earth radii). Recent results from the Doppler surveys suggest that discovery of a transiting superEarth in the habitable zone of a lower main sequence star may be possible. We evaluate the prospects for an all-sky transit survey targeted to the brightest stars, that would find the most favorable cases for photometric and spectroscopic characterization using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). We use the proposed Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) as representative of an all-sky survey. We couple the simulated TESS yield to a sensitivity model for the MIRI and NIRSpec instruments on JWST. We focus on the TESS planets with radii between Earth and Neptune. Our simulations consider secondary eclipse filter photometry using JWST/MIRI, comparing the 11- and 15-micron bands to measure CO2 absorption in superEarths, as well as JWST/NIRSpec spectroscopy of water absorption from 1.7-3.0 microns, and CO2 absorption at 4.3-microns. We project that TESS will discover about eight nearby habitable transiting superEarths. The principal sources of uncertainty in the prospects for JWST characterization of habitable superEarths are superEarth frequency and the nature of superEarth atmospheres. Based on our estimates of these uncertainties, we project that JWST will be able to measure the temperature, and identify molecular absorptions (water, CO2) in one to four nearby habitable TESS superEarths.Comment: accepted for PASP; added discussion and figure for habitable planets; abridged Abstrac

Rings of Dark Matter in Collisions Between Clusters of Galaxies

Several lines of evidence suggest that the galaxy cluster Cl0024+17, an apparently relaxed system, is actually a collision of two clusters, the interaction occurring along our line of sight. Recent lensing observations suggest the presence of a ring-like dark matter structure, which has been interpreted as the result of such a collision. In this paper we present $N$-body simulations of cluster collisions along the line of sight to investigate the detectability of such features. We use realistic dark matter density profiles as determined from cosmological simulations. Our simulations show a "shoulder" in the dark matter distribution after the collision, but no ring feature even when the initial particle velocity distribution is highly tangentially anisotropic ($\sigma_\theta/\sigma_r >> 1$). Only when the initial particle velocity distribution is circular do our simulations show such a feature. Even modestly anisotropic velocity distributions are inconsistent with the halo velocity distributions seen in cosmological simulations, and would require highly fine-tuned initial conditions. Our investigation leaves us without an explanation for the dark matter ring-like feature in Cl 0024+17 suggested by lensing observations.Comment: 7 pages (emulateapj), 9 figures. Expanded figures and text to match accepted versio

Report of the x ray and gamma ray sensors panel

Overall five major areas of technology are recommended for development in order to meet the science requirements of the Astrotech 21 mission set. These are: detectors for high resolution gamma ray spectroscopy, cryogenic detectors for improved x ray spectral and spatial resolution, advanced x ray charge coupled devices (CCDs) for higher energy resolution and larger format, extension to higher energies, liquid and solid position sensitive detectors for improving stopping power in the energy range 5 to 500 keV and 0.2 to 2 MeV. Development plans designed to achieve the desired capabilities on the time scales required by the technology freeze dates have been recommended in each of these areas

Previously Claimed(/Unclaimed) X-ray Emission Lines in High Resolution Afterglow Spectra

We review the significance determination for emission lines in the Chandra HETGS spectrum for GRB020813, and we report on a search for additional lines in high resolution Chandra spectra. No previously unclaimed features are found. We also discuss the significance of lines sets reportedly discovered using XMM data for GRB011211 and GRB030227. We find that these features are likely of modest, though not negligible, significance.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figures, to appear in Santa Fe GRB Conference Proceedings, 200

Chandra Observations of the Optically Dark GRB030528

The X-ray-rich GRB030528 was detected by the HETE satellite and its localization was rapidly disseminated. However, early optical observations failed to detect a counterpart source. In a 2-epoch ToO observation with Chandra, we discovered a fading X-ray source likely counterpart to GRB030528. The source brightness was typical of X-ray afterglows observed at similar epochs. Other observers detected an IR source at a location consistent with the X-ray source. The X-ray spectrum is not consistent with a large absorbing column.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figures, to appear in Santa Fe GRB Conference Proceedings, 200

Fractionating Choice: A Study on Reward Discrimination, Preference, and Relative Valuation in the Rat (Rattus Norvegicus)

Choice behavior combines discrimination between distinctive outcomes, preference for specific outcomes and relative valuation of comparable outcomes. Previous work has focused on 1 component (i.e., preference) disregarding other influential processes that might provide a more complete understanding. Animal models of choice have been explored primarily utilizing extensive training, limited freedom for multiple decisions and sparse behavioral measures constrained to a single phase of motivated action. The present study used a paradigm that combines different elements of previous methods with the goal to distinguish among components of choice and explore how well components match predictions based on risk-sensitive foraging strategies. In order to analyze discrimination and relative valuation, it was necessary to have an option that shifted and an option that remained constant. Shifting outcomes among weeks included a change in single-option outcome (0 to 1 to 2 pellets) or a change in mixed-option outcome (0 or 5 to 0 or 3 to 0 or 1 pellets). Constant outcomes among weeks were also mixed-option (0 or 3 pellets) or single-option (1 pellet). Shifting single-option outcomes among weeks led to better discrimination, more robust preference and significant incentive contrast effects for the alternative outcome. Shifting multioptions altered choice components and led to dissociations among discrimination, preference, and reduced contrast effects. During extinction, all components were impacted with the greatest deficits during the shifting mixed-option outcome sessions. Results suggest choice behavior can be optimized for 1 component but suboptimal for others depending upon the complexity of alterations in outcome value between options

Optical and X-ray Observations of the Afterglow to XRF030723

The X-ray-flash XRF030723 was detected by the HETE satellite and rapidly disseminated, allowing for an optical transient to be detected ~1 day after the burst. We discuss observations in the optical with Magellan, which confirmed the fade of the optical transient. In a 2-epoch ToO observation with Chandra, we discovered a fading X-ray source spatially coincident with the optical transient. We present spectral fits to the X-ray data. We also discuss the possibility that the source underwent a rebrightening in the X-rays, as was observed in the optical. We find that the significance of a possible rebrightening is very low (~1 sigma).Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, to appear in Santa Fe GRB Conference Proceedings, 200

High Fidelity Adiabatic Quantum Computation via Dynamical Decoupling

We introduce high-order dynamical decoupling strategies for open system adiabatic quantum computation. Our numerical results demonstrate that a judicious choice of high-order dynamical decoupling method, in conjunction with an encoding which allows computation to proceed alongside decoupling, can dramatically enhance the fidelity of adiabatic quantum computation in spite of decoherence.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure