2,838 research outputs found
The useful potential of using existing data to uniquely identify predictable wind events and regimes, part 1
Correlations between standard meteorological data and wind power generation potential were developed. Combined with appropriate wind forecasts, these correlations can be useful to load dispatchers to supplement conventional energy sources. Hourly wind data were analyzed for four sites, each exhibiting a unique physiography. These sites are Amarillo, Texas; Ludington, Michigan; Montauk Point, New York; and San Gorgonio, California. Synoptic weather maps and tables are presented to illustrate various wind 'regimes' at these sites
AMERICANS AND GM FOOD: KNOWLEDGE, OPINION AND INTEREST IN 2004
This report presents the results from the third in a series of studies examining public perception of genetically modified (GM) food in the United States. All three studies were based on survey results of separate, nationally representative samples of approximately 1,200 Americans taken in 2001, 2003, and 2004. While the survey instrument on which the current report is based maintained many of the same measures of awareness and attitude as its two predecessors, it also included several new queries that assess the ability of respondents to recall specific news stories related to GM food, their interest in the topic, and where they would go to look for new information. Many questions that were repeated from previous years have changed considerably in the current survey. Some of the classic measures of awareness and opinion now incorporate an "unsure" response as choice supplied by the interviewer. While respondents were allowed to volunteer this response in the past, explicitly providing this option to respondents reduced guessing on knowledge-based questions and encouraged a more accurate representation of opinion than in the past. The report begins with an investigation of Americans' awareness and knowledge about the topic in general, their ability to recall related news stories, familiarity with laws and regulations as well as other questions designed to get at highly specific knowledge about agricultural biotechnology. Next, it details the effect of the new survey methodology on reported opinions about plant-based and animal-based GM food. Finally, it delves into a number of novel findings about interest in hypothetical television shows about GM food, desire for information on food labels, and reported behavior with regards to information seeking. Consistent with results from our previous studies and others, these findings suggest that the American public is generally unaware of GM food. Most Americans have heard or read little about it, are not aware of its prevalence in their lives, and are confused as to which type of GM products are available. Respondents struggled with factual questions related to GM food and the science behind it, could not recall news stories related to the topic, and were not very knowledgeable about laws regarding the labeling and testing of GM food. Americans are also unsure of their opinions about GM food and split in their assessments of the technology when forced to take a position. Americans say they are interested in the topic of GM food, specifically those topics related to human health. Respondents say they desire more information on food labels and report that they would like to see GM foods labeled as such. The majority of Americans admit they have never looked for information about GM food and most say they will search the Internet should the need arise.Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,
The spectroscopic evolution of the -ray emitting classical nova Nova Mon 2012. I. Implications for the ONe subclass of classical novae
Nova Mon 2012 was the first classical nova to be detected as a high energy
-ray transient, by Fermi-LAT, before its optical discovery. We study a
time sequence of high resolution optical echelle spectra (Nordic Optical
Telescope) and contemporaneous NOT, STIS UV, and CHIRON echelle spectra (Nov
20/21/22). We use [O III] and H line fluxs to constrain the properties
of the ejecta. We derive the structure from the optical and UV line profiles
and compare our measured line fluxes for with predictions using Cloudy with
abundances from other ONe novae. Mon 2012 is confirmed as an ONe nova. We find
E(B-V)=0.850.05 and hydrogen column density
cm. The corrected continuum luminosity is nearly the same in the entire
observed energy range as V1974 Cyg, V382 Mon, and Nova LMC 2000 at the same
epoch after outburst. The distance, about 3.6 kpc, is quite similar to V1974
Cyg. The line profiles can be modeled using an axisymmetric bipolar geometry
for the ejecta with various inclinations of the axis to the line of sight, 60
\le i \le 80 degrees, an opening angle of \approx\Delta
R/R(t)\approx 0.4f\approx 0.1-0.3\leq 6\times
10^{-5}_\odot\gamma$-ray emission may be a generic phenomenon, common to all ONe novae,
possibly to all classical novae, and connected with acceleration and emission
processes within the ejecta (abstract severely truncated).Comment: Submitted to A&A 9/1/2013; Accepted 27/2/2013 (in press
The spectroscopic evolution of the recurrent nova T Pyxidis during its 2011 outburst. II.The optically thin phase and the structure of the ejecta in recurrent novae
We continue our study of the physical properties of the recurrent nova T Pyx,
focussing on the structure of the ejecta in the nebular stage of expansion
during the 2011 outburst. The nova was observed contemporaneously with the
Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT), at high resolution spectroscopic resolution (R
~ 65000) on 2011 Oct. 11 and 2012 Apr. 8 (without absolute flux calibration),
and with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) aboard the Hubble
Space Telescope, at high resolution (R ~ 30000) on 2011 Oct. 10 and 2012 Mar.
28 (absolute fluxes). We use standard plasma diagnostics (e.g. [O III] and [N
II] line ratios and the H line fluxes) to constrain electron densities
and temperatures. Using Monte Carlo modeling of the ejecta, we derive the
structure and filling factor from comparisons to the optical and ultraviolet
line profiles. The ejecta can be modeled using an axisymmetric conical --
bipolar -- geometry with a low inclination of the axis to the line of sight,
i=15+/-5 degrees, compatible with published results from high angular
resolution optical spectro-interferometry. The structure is similar to that
observed in the other short orbital period recurrent novae during their nebular
stages. We show that the electron density scales as as expected from a
ballistically ejected constant mass shell; there is no need to invoke a
continuing mass outflow following the eruption. The derived mass for the ejecta
with filling factor f ~ 3%, M_ej ~ 2E-6$M_sun is similar to that obtained for
other recurrent nova ejecta but inconsistent with the previously reported
extended optically thick epoch of the explosion. We suggest that the system
underwent a common envelope phase following the explosion that produced the
recombination event. Implications for the dynamics of the recurrent novae are
discussed. (truncated)Comment: accepted for publication in A&A (10 Nov. 2012), 10 pgs, 16 fig
Correlation in the velocity of a Brownian particle induced by frictional anisotropy and magnetic field
We study the motion of charged Brownian particles in an external magnetic
field. It is found that a correlation appears between the components of
particle velocity in the case of anisotropic friction, approaching
asymptotically zero in the stationary limit. If magnetic field is smaller
compared to the critical value, determined by frictional anisotropy, the
relaxation of the correlation is non-oscillating in time. However, in a larger
magnetic field this relaxation becomes oscillating. The phenomenon is related
to the statistical dependence of the components of transformed random force
caused by the simultaneous influence of magnetic field and anisotropic
dissipation.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figure
Educating early childhood preservice teachers about dual language theory and practice
The article discusses Educating Early Childhood Preservice Teachers about Dual Language Theory and Practices. It mentions that many teachers are fearful or unsure about how to include literacy instruction in their curricula to affirm their students\u27 multiple languages. It informs that Massachusetts had been one of the few states in the country that had eliminated, or highly restricted, bilingual education by law
Light gravitino production in association with gluinos at the LHC
We study the jets plus missing energy signature at the LHC in a scenario
where the gravitino is very light and the gluino is the next-to-lightest
supersymmetric particle and promptly decays into a gluon and a gravitino. We
consider both associated gravitino production with a gluino and gluino pair
production. By merging matrix elements with parton showers, we generate
inclusive signal and background samples and show how information on the gluino
and gravitino masses can be obtained by simple final state observables.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figures, 1 table; v2: typos corrected, version to appear
in JHE
Rural-urban migration in d-dimensional lattices
The rural-urban migration phenomenon is analyzed by using an agent-based
computational model. Agents are placed on lattices which dimensions varying
from d=2 up to d=7. The localization of the agents in the lattice define their
social neighborhood (rural or urban) not being related to their spatial
distribution. The effect of the dimension of lattice is studied by analyzing
the variation of the main parameters that characterizes the migratory process.
The dynamics displays strong effects even for around one million of sites, in
higher dimensions (d=6, 7).Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, to be published in International Journal of
Modern Physics C 1
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