AMPR/SSMI data comparisons

The AMPR (Advanced Microwave Precipitation Radiometer) was flown for the first time with successful data collection over precipitation targets in Florida and off the Oregon coast. The AMPR met its expected performance levels with very low noise and relatively troublefree operation. Numerous rain cloud systems over land and ocean were overflown and the measurements at 10.7, 19.35, 37.1, and 85.5 GHz reveal a wide variety of microphysical conditions which exist within rain cloud systems. Although predicted by radiative transfer model calculations from cloud model simulations, this diversity was not observed before due to the poor spatial resolution of spaceborne microwave radiometers. Saturation of the 19.35 GHz rain emission signal was frequently observed in the oceanic rain systems, supporting the desirability of a 10 GHz channel on the TRMM (Tropical Rain Measuring Mission) microwave radiometer for sensitivity to the higher rain rates

Portable Sawmilling Costs for Landholders in Western Queensland

Portable sawmilling trials with Acacia aneura (mulga) and A. cambagei (gidgee) have been undertaken to estimate the private landholder costs associated with small-scale timber production from woodlands in western Queensland, Australia. A time study of harvesting and milling operations facilitated estimation of landholder labour input requirements. The scarcity and small size of millable logs, coupled with the prevalence of timber defects, make harvesting and portable sawmilling of western Queensland acacias an expensive undertaking for landholders. The cost of producing sawn timber that meets the High Feature (HF) grade of Australian Standard AS2796 is estimated at between A$3,000-m3 and A$3,400/m3 of HF timber.

AMPR/SSMI data comparisons

The AMPR was flown during CAPE and STORMFEST, during which some good data were gathered. Significant instrument noise problems were encountered in both deployments which appear to be temperature related. These are being fixed before the TOGA COARE deployment. New calibration loads have also been manufactured for the TOGA COARE configuration. Eric Smith at FSU had been analyzing the AMPR data and has written a journal article to be submitted early this summer. The emphasis of his work is on the interpretation of low resolution microwave data from space, based upon what we have learned from the high-resolution AMPR signatures

Investigation of Liquid Metal Heat Exchanger Designs for Fission Surface Power

Fission surface power is an option for future Moon and Mars surface missions. High power nuclear reactor heated Stirling convertors are an option to provide reliable power for long duration outpost operations. This report investigates various design approaches for the liquid metal to acceptor heat exchange and clarifies the details used in the analysis

Fact sheet: Using a terrestrial ecosystem survey to estimate the historical density of ponderosa pine trees in northern Arizona

The Terrestrial Ecosystem Survey (TES) delineates ecosystems according to their climate, geology, soils, and potential natural vegetation (U.S. Forest Service 1986). Land managers and planners can use this information to help interpret site suitability for natural regeneration, reforestation, and revegetation potential as well as site suitability for road building, range and timber, range structures (watering sources), and other land uses. However, the TES can be used for other purposes as Ganey and Benoit (2002) demonstrated in their report about identifying potential habitat for Mexican spotted owl on national forest lands. Similarly, Bell and colleagues (2009) used the TES and its specific survey units (TESU) to analyze the characteristics of the Woolsey plots in northern Arizona - plots the Forest Service established in the early 1900s to examine tree regeneration. In our study, we identified historic ponderosa pine densities on various TES mapping units and then correlated our findings with what the TESU predicted we should find

Mapping the Galactic Halo. V. Sgr dSph Tidal Debris 60 degrees from the Main Body

As part of the Spaghetti Project Survey (SPS) we have detected a concentration of giant stars well above expectations for a smooth halo model. The position (l~350, b~50) and distance (~50 kpc) of this concentration match those of the Northern over-density detected by SDSS (Yanny et al. 2000, Ivezic et al. 2000). We find additional evidence for structure at ~80 kpc in the same direction. We present radial velocities for many of these stars, including the first published results from the 6.5m Magellan telescope. The radial velocities for stars in these structures are in excellent agreement with models of the dynamical evolution of the Sgr dwarf tidal debris, whose center is 60 degrees away. The metallicity of stars in these streams is lower than that of the main body of the Sgr dwarf, which may indicate a radial metallicity gradient prior to disruption.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures accepted in Astrophysical Journal Letter

The effects of diesel exhaust pollution on floral volatiles and the consequences for honey bee olfaction

There is growing evidence of a substantial decline in pollinators within Europe and North America, most likely caused by multiple factors such as diseases, poor nutrition, habitat loss, insecticides, and environmental pollution. Diesel exhaust could be a contributing factor to this decline, since we found that diesel exhaust rapidly degrades floral volatiles, which honey bees require for flower recognition. In this study, we exposed eight of the most common floral volatiles to diesel exhaust in order to investigate whether it can affect volatile mediated plant-pollinator interaction. Exposure to diesel exhaust altered the blend of common flower volatiles significantly: myrcene was considerably reduced, β-ocimene became undetectable, and β-caryophyllene was transformed into its cis-isomer isocaryophyllene. Proboscis extension response (PER) assays showed that the alterations of the blend reduced the ability of honey bees to recognize it. The chemically reactive nitrogen oxides fraction of diesel exhaust gas was identified as capable of causing degradation of floral volatiles

The Relationship Between Student Perceptions of School Climate Domains and Academic Achievement in Rural Schools

The purpose of this study was to determine how accurately student achievement in reading could be predicted by student perceptions of certain school climate domains (student support, disciplinary structure, academic expectations, student engagement, and the prevalence of teasing and bullying). Research demonstrated a predictive relationship between school climate domains and student academic achievement. This study applied a quantitative, correlational design to determine the predictive ability of school climate domains on student achievement in reading in rural schools. Rural school outcomes were measured by student responses for each climate domain on the 2018 Virginia School Climate Survey while academic achievement in reading was measured by school pass rates on the 2018 Virginia reading end-of-course standards-of-learning assessment. All 102 rural Virginia high schools were included in this study. Results indicated that while a weak association existed between student perceptions of school climate domains and student achievement in rural schools, a linear combination of student perceptions of school climate domains was not significantly predictive of student achievement in rural schools