Multi-layer light-weight protective coating and method for application

A thin, light-weight, multi-layer coating is provided for protecting metals and their alloys from environmental attack at high temperatures. A reaction barrier is applied to the metal substrate and a diffusion barrier is then applied to the reaction barrier. A sealant layer may also be applied to the diffusion barrier if desired. The reaction barrier is either non-reactive or passivating with respect to the metal substrate and the diffusion barrier. The diffusion barrier is either non-reactive or passivating with respect to the reaction barrier and the sealant layer. The sealant layer is immiscible with the diffusion barrier and has a softening point below the expected use temperature of the metal

Post-natal Survival of Raccoons in Relation to Female Age and Denning Behavior

We measured post-natal survival of radio-collared raccoons 1-5 months old in southwest Iowa, 1988-1989. We compared survival of young nurtured by yearling and adult females and related den site selection to survival functions using proportional hazards models. Adult females used upland and farmstead habitats note frequently than yearlings, whereas yearling females used lowland habitats note frequently. Tree cavities and beds on the ground were used most frequently. Adult females denned in buildings 13% of the time and in holes in the ground 9.5% of the time, whereas yearlings frequently tested with litters in beds on the ground (31%). Microhab1tat characteristics including such factors as tree size, surrounding vegetation, and den characteristics had no influence on use. We observed 9 mortalities of 64 earmarked young, 4 caused by dogs, the remaining including vehicle collisions, predation, and disease. All mortalities occurred after litters moved from their natal den to a post-natal den site. We could not show significant differences in survival of young nurtured by yearling and adult females and the best estimate of post-natal survival of raccoons from 22 May to 15 September was 0.65. Post-natal survival was positively influenced by the variety of habitats and den types used by females and their young. Denning habitat selection and post-natal survival of young, particularly those of adult females, may have an important influence on population levels

The Role of Customer Loyalty to the Salesperson in Generating Premium Revenue for Retailers

The findings of this research underscore the relative importance of loyalty to the salesperson, when compared with retailer trust and satisfaction, on outcomes such as loyalty to the retailer and a consumer’s willingness to pay price premiums. This research also demonstrates that loyalty to the salesperson has a diminished effect on both outcomes when the merchandise is perceived as being high quality. The findings suggest that managers need to be aware of potential contingency factors that may affect relationships within the service profit chain. Moreover, the results reveal that consumers make holistic evaluations of services and consider both the physical goods and service provided by employees when determining their loyalty to the retailer

Contribution Of Transfer Ionization To Total Electron Capture From A Helium Target

The contribution of transfer ionization (TI) to total electron capture has been measured for Oq+ ions (q=5, 6, 7, and 8) colliding with helium at energies from 0.5 to 1.5 MeV/u. These measurements, along with other published results, suggest a maximum TI contribution to total capture of 0.15q0.5 at E (in keV /u)q0.5100 The results demonstrate that the failure to account for transfer ionization in total single-charge-transfer cross sections may lead to large discrepancies between experiment and theory. © 1987 The American Physical Society

Onboard Data Processor for Change-Detection Radar Imaging

A computer system denoted a change-detection onboard processor (CDOP) is being developed as a means of processing the digitized output of a synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) apparatus aboard an aircraft or spacecraft to generate images showing changes that have occurred in the terrain below between repeat passes of the aircraft or spacecraft over the terrain. When fully developed, the CDOP is intended to be capable of generating SAR images and/or SAR differential interferograms in nearly real time. The CDOP is expected to be especially useful for understanding some large-scale natural phenomena and/or mitigating natural hazards: For example, it could be used for near-real-time observation of surface changes caused by floods, landslides, forest fires, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, glaciers, and sea ice movements. It could also be used to observe such longer-term surface changes as those associated with growth of vegetation (relevant to estimation of wildfire fuel loads). The CDOP is, essentially, an interferometric SAR processor designed to operate aboard a radar platform