Coronal Fe XIV Emission During the Whole Heliosphere Interval Campaign

Solar Cycle 24 is having a historically long and weak start. Observations of the Fe XIV corona from the Sacramento Peak site of the National Solar Observatory show an abnormal pattern of emission compared to observations of Cycles 21, 22, and 23 from the same instrument. The previous three cycles have shown a strong, rapid "Rush to the Poles" (previously observed in polar crown prominences and earlier coronal observations) in the parameter N(t,l,dt) (average number of Fe XIV emission features per day over dt days at time t and latitude l). Cycle 24 displays a weak, intermittent, and slow "Rush" that is apparent only in the northern hemisphere. If the northern Rush persists at its current rate, evidence from the Rushes in previous cycles indicates that solar maximum will occur in early 2013 or late 2012, at least in the northern hemisphere. At lower latitudes, solar maximum previously occurred when the time maximum of N(t,l,365) reached approximately 20{\deg} latitude. Currently, this parameter is at or below 30{\deg}and decreasing in latitude. Unfortunately, it is difficult at this time to calculate the rate of decrease in N(t,l,365). However, the southern hemisphere could reach 20{\deg} in 2011. Nonetheless, considering the levels of activity so far, there is a possibility that the maximum could be indiscernibleComment: 8 pages, 4 figures; Solar Physics Online First, 2011 http://www.springerlink.com/content/b5kl4040k0626647

Tetrahydrofurandiols (THF-diols), Leukotoxindiols (LTX-diols), and Endocrine Disruption in Rats

BACKGROUND: Ground corncob animal bedding and corn food products contain substances that disrupt endocrine function in rats. The disruptors were identified as isomeric mixtures of tetrahydrofurandiols (THF-diols; 9,12-oxy-10,13-dihydroxyoctadecanoic acid and 10,13-oxy-9,12-dihydroxyoctadecanoic acid) and leukotoxindiols (LTX-diols; 9,10-dihydroxy-12-octadecenoic acid and 12,13-dihydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid). The authentic compounds blocked sexual behavior in male rats and estrous cyclicity in female rats at oral doses of 2 ppm. OBJECTIVES: To define the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) for the THF-diols and LTX-diols in rats, we examined the nature of their interaction (additive or synergistic) and quantified the concentration of THF-diols in rat tissues. METHODS: Adult male and female rats were provided drinking solutions containing various doses of THF-diols and/or LTX-diols, and we evaluated their effects on male sexual behavior and female estrous cyclicity. Tissues were collected for THF-diol determination by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The LOAEL for THF-diols and LTX-diols for blocking estrous cyclicity was 0.5–1.0 ppm and 0.2–0.5 ppm, respectively. Higher concentrations (1–2 ppm) of THF-diols were required to block male sexual behavior. Combination studies with subthreshold doses of 0.05 ppm THF-diols plus 0.05 ppm LTX-diols revealed that their effects on estrous cyclicity were not synergistic. We were unable to detect THF-diols in tissues from rats treated with 10 ppm of the compounds, suggesting that metabolism may be involved. DISCUSSION: THF-diols, LTX-diols, and/or their metabolites likely act additively to disrupt endocrine function in male and female rats at concentrations (0.5–1 ppm) that are 200-fold lower than those of classical phytoestrogen endocrine disruptors

Allocation Between Commercial and Recreational Sectors in Stressed Marine Fisheries

This paper provides an overview of the economic approach to open access, optimum fishery allocation between commercial and recreational users. The goal is to familiarize noneconomists with efficiency concepts, such as net benefit, that pertain to optimum allocation. A theoretical model of the policy trade‐off between economic efficiency and social equity is also developed. Net benefit is distinguished from economic impact, which cannot guarantee optimum allocation. Finally, empirical methods are applied to the red drum fishery in the Gulf of Mexico. Results support policies that reallocate wild red drum from the commercial to the recreational fishery

Legislative Regulation of Attorneys\u27 Fees - Health Care Services - Malpractice Act - Statutory Severability - Separation of Powers

Without resolving an involved separation of powers issue, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has held that the attorneys\u27 fees limitation of the Health Care Services Malpractice Act was not severable from the Act\u27s unconstitutional provisions, and that the decision in Mattos v. Thompson nullified all arbitration procedures of the Act. Heller v. Frankston, __ Pa. ___, 475 A.2d 1291 (1984)

Documents, contracts, and worksheets for home builders

Al Trellis.xv, 338 p. : ill. ; 29 cm. + 1 computer disk (3 1

Can a sub-optimal tournament be optimal when the prize can be collectively consumed? The case of college football's national championship

One of the most heated debates in all of sports is the annual debate over major college football's national champion. Since its implementation in 1995, the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) system has often failed to quell the controversy concerning what team is the Division 1 Football Bowl Subdivision football champion. Many of the BCS controversies have spawned changes in the title selection format, while others are perhaps the result of certain changes. What remains now is the cry from some college football fans for an expanded 'national championship playoff,' though college and university presidents and many college football coaches continue to resist these cries. We try to explain this resistance to expanding the number of teams invited to compete for the BCS championship and the persistence of the two team playoff format in college football. For three championship eras-pre-BCS, BCS and a futuristic post-BCS expanded playoff-we first relate some of the controversial details to concepts such as optimal tournaments and the public goods concept of collective consumption.