Agroforestry and ritual at the ancient Maya center of Lamanai

Paleoethnobotanical data retrieved from caches of Late Classic to Early Postclassic origin at the ancient Maya site of Lamanai, Belize, revealed carbonized maize kernels, cob fragments, common beans, coyol endocarps, and an abundance of wood charcoal, from both conifer and hardwood tree species. Pinus caribaea (Caribbean pine) was the most ubiquitous species in the Late and Terminal Classic sample set and the weight of Lamanai pine wood charcoal was more than the combined weight of all known archaeobotanical collections from nearby contemporaneous sites. Pollen data from northwestern Belize showed that the pine pollen signature declined during the Late Classic period, a trajectory in keeping with intensive exploitation of the nearby pine savannas as suggested by the contents of Lamanai caches examined in this study. Although Lamanai flourished far into the Postclassic period, pine charcoal use—based on present evidence—declined in Early Postclassic ritual contexts. Concomitantly, an increase in the local pine pollen rain indicated that pine timber stocks rebounded during the Postclassic period. The observed intensive use of pine at Late Classic Lamanai combined with a concurrent decline in the regional pine pollen signature is consistent with a hypothesis of over-exploitation of pine during the Late to Terminal Classic period

On the Spectroscopic Diversity of Type Ia Supernovae

A comparison of the ratio of the depths of two absorption features in the spectra of TypeIa supernovae (SNe Ia) near the time of maximum brightness with the blueshift of the deep red Si II absorption feature 10 days after maximum shows that the spectroscopic diversity of SNe Ia is multi-dimensional. There is a substantial range of blueshifts at a given value of the depth ratio. We also find that the spectra of a sample of SNe Ia obtained a week before maximum brightness can be arranged in a ``blueshift sequence'' that mimics the time evolution of the pre-maximum-light spectra of an individual SN Ia, the well observed SN 1994D. Within the context of current SN Ia explosion models, we suggest that some of the SNe Ia in our sample were delayed-detonations while others were plain deflagrations.Comment: accepted for publication in ApJ

Analysis of the Type IIn Supernova 1998S: Effects of Circumstellar Interaction on Observed Spectra

We present spectral analysis of early observations of the Type IIn supernova 1998S using the general non-local thermodynamic equilibrium atmosphere code \tt PHOENIX}. We model both the underlying supernova spectrum and the overlying circumstellar interaction region and produce spectra in good agreement with observations. The early spectra are well fit by lines produced primarily in the circumstellar region itself, and later spectra are due primarily to the supernova ejecta. Intermediate spectra are affected by both regions. A mass-loss rate of order $\dot M \sim 0.0001-0.001$\msol yr$^{-1}$ is inferred for a wind speed of 100-1000 \kmps. We discuss how future self-consistent models will better clarify the underlying progenitor structure.Comment: to appear in ApJ, 2001, 54

Reframing Kurtz’s Painting: Colonial Legacies and Minority Rights in Ethnically Divided Societies

Minority rights constitute some of the most normatively and economically important human rights. Although the political science and legal literatures have proffered a number of constitutional and institutional design solutions to address the protection of minority rights, these solutions are characterized by a noticeable neglect of, and lack of sensitivity to, historical processes. This Article addresses that gap in the literature by developing a causal argument that explains diverging practices of minority rights protections as functions of colonial governments’ variegated institutional practices with respect to particular ethnic groups. Specifically, this Article argues that in instances where colonial governments politicize and institutionalize ethnic hegemony in the pre-independence period, an institutional legacy is created that leads to lower levels of minority rights protections. Conversely, a uniform treatment and depoliticization of ethnicity prior to independence ultimately minimizes ethnic cleavages post-independence and consequently causes higher levels of minority rights protections. Through a highly structured comparative historical analysis of Botswana and Ghana, this Article builds on a new and exciting research agenda that focuses on the role of long-term historio-structural and institutional influences on human rights performance and makes important empirical contributions by eschewing traditional methodologies that focus on single case studies that are largely descriptive in their analyses. Ultimately, this Article highlights both the strength of a historical approach to understanding current variations in minority rights protections and the varied institutional responses within a specific colonial government

Evidence for Asphericity in the Type IIn Supernova 1998S

We present optical spectropolarimetry obtained at the Keck-II 10-m telescope on 1998 March 7 UT along with total flux spectra spanning the first 494 days after discovery (1998 March 2 UT) of the peculiar type IIn supernova (SN) 1998S. The SN is found to exhibit a high degree of linear polarization, implying significant asphericity for its continuum-scattering environment. Prior to removal of the interstellar polarization, the polarization spectrum is characterized by a flat continuum (at p ~ 2%) with distinct changes in polarization associated with both the broad (FWZI >= 20,000 km/s) and narrow (unresolved, FWHM < 300 km/s) line emission seen in the total flux spectrum. When analyzed in terms of a polarized continuum with unpolarized broad-line recombination emission, an intrinsic continuum polarization of p ~ 3% results (the highest yet found for a SN), suggesting a global asphericity of >= 45% from the oblate, electron-scattering dominated models of Hoflich (1991). The smooth, blue continuum evident at early times is shown to be inconsistent with a reddened, single-temperature blackbody, instead having a color temperature that increases with decreasing wavelength. Broad emission-line profiles with distinct blue and red peaks are seen in the total flux spectra at later times, perhaps suggesting a disk-like or ring-like morphology for the dense (n_e ~ 10^7 cm^{-3}) circumstellar medium. Implications of the circumstellar scattering environment for the spectropolarimetry are discussed, as are the effects of uncertain removal of interstellar polarization.Comment: 25 pages + 2 tables + 14 figures, Submitted to The Astrophysical Journa

PERFIL DE LA MORTALIDAD MATERNA EN SANTA CATARINA.

Using databases from the Information System concerning Death, this study presents an exploratory analysis of maternal delivery-related deaths in Santa Catarina, Brasil from 1996- 2002. It compares the figures of the Reasons of Maternal Death (RMM) in a historical series from official databases with data formulated using a corrective factor in order to eliminate the subnotification effects of maternal death certificates. The limitations of the indicator concerning trends are discussed, as a result of different factors that directly interfere with observed oscillations. In 2002, 48 maternal death certificates were registered in Santa Catarina, equaling 57.4 death certificates per 100,000 live infants born. Considering the corrective factor for maternal death certificates, using (1.83), this figure increases to 91.1 death certificates. Attempting to outline the profile of delivery-related death in Santa Catarina, death certificates were studied according to certain variables (cause of death, age, education, civil status, location), available through the death certificates. Analyzing regional abnormalities in the risk of delivery-related death, the High Plains (Planalto Serrano) macro-region appears to have the largest RMM of the study. The results obtained show that the data is an important subsidy for an initial approximation for profiling maternal delivery-related death. Therefore, it is necessary to invest into the improvement of the quality of fulfilling in the death declaration forms in order to maximize the analysis done by that data base.Utilizando bases de datos del Sistema de Informaciones sobre Mortalidad, el trabajo presenta un análisis exploratorio del comportamiento de la mortalidad materna en Santa Catarina, de 1996 a 2002. Compara los valores de las Razones de Mortalidad Materna-RMM en la serie histórica estudiada a partir de las bases de datos oficiales con los que serían obtenidos con la utilización de un factor de corrección para eliminar los efectos de la sub-notificación de óbitos maternos. Son discutidas las limitaciones del indicador en el análisis de las tendencias resultantes de los diferentes factores que interfieren directamente en las oscilaciones observadas. En el año 2002 fueron registrados 48 óbitos maternos en Santa Catarina, representando una razón de 57,4 óbitos por 100.000 nacidos vivos. Considerando el factor de corrección para óbitos maternos utilizado (1,83), la razón sube para 91,1. Buscando trazar el perfil de la mortalidad materna en Santa Catarina, fueron estudiados los óbitos según algunas variables (grupos de causas, grupo de edad, escolaridad, estado civil, local de ocurrencia) disponibles en la declaración del óbito. Analizando las desigualdades regionales en el riesgo de muerte materna, la macro región del Planalto Serrano aparece con la mayor RMM en el periodo. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que los datos son subsidios importantes para una primera aproximación al perfil de la mortalidad materna. Sin embargo, es preciso insistir en la mejoría de la calidad del rellenado de la declaración del óbito a fin de potencializar los análisis realizados a partir de esa base de datos.Utilizando bases de dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade, o trabalho apresenta análise exploratória do comportamento da mortalidade materna em Santa Catarina, de 1996-2002. Compara os valores das Razões de Mortalidade Materna-RMM na série histórica estudada a partir das bases de dados oficiais com os que seriam obtidos com a utilização de um fator de correção para eliminar os efeitos da subnotificação de óbitos maternos. São discutidas as limitações do indicador na análise de tendências, decorrentes de diferentes fatores que interferem diretamente nas oscilações observadas. No ano 2002 foram registrados 48 óbitos maternos em Santa Catarina, representando uma razão de 57,4 óbitos por 100.000 nascidos vivos. Considerando o fator de correção para óbitos maternos utilizado (1,83), a razão sobe para 91,1. Buscando traçar perfil da mortalidade materna em Santa Catarina, foram estudados óbitos segundo algumas variáveis (grupos de causas, faixa etária, escolaridade, estado civil, local de ocorrência) disponíveis na declaração de óbito. Analisando desigualdades regionais no risco de morte materna, a macrorregião do Planalto Serrano aparece com a maior RMM no período. Os resultados obtidos mostram que os dados são importante subsídio para uma primeira aproximação do perfil da mortalidade materna. No entanto, é preciso investir na melhoria da qualidade do preenchimento da declaração de óbito a fim de potencializar as análises realizadas a partir dessa base de dados