On the simulation of infiltration- and saturation-excess runoff using radar-based rainfall estimates: Effects of algorithm uncertainty and pixel aggregation

The effects of uncertainty in radar-estimated precipitation input on simulated runoff generation from a medium-sized (100-km2) basin in northern Texas are investigated. The radar-estimated rainfall was derived from Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) Level II base reflectivity data and was supplemented by ground-based rain-gauge data. Two types of uncertainty in the precipitation estimates are considered: (1) those arising from the transformation of reflectivity to rainfall rate and (2) those due to the spatial and temporal representation of the 'true' rainfall field. The study explicitly differentiates between the response of simulated saturation-excess runoff and infiltration-excess runoff to these uncertainties. The results indicate that infiltration-excess runoff generation is much more sensitive than saturation-excess runoff generation to both types of precipitation uncertainty. Furthermore, significant reductions in infiltration-excess runoff volume occur when the temporal and spatial resolution of the precipitation input is decreased. A method is developed to relate this storm-dependent reduction in runoff volume to the spatial heterogeneity of the highest-intensity rainfall periods during a storm

The Memorial Addresses Delivered in University Hall, November 26, 1880, at the Funeral of Professor James Craig Watson, … Professor in the University from 1859 to 1879

This is Judge Cooley\u27s tribute to former University of Michigan astronomer Professor James Craig Watson, who died unexpectedly at age 42 and is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery in Ann Arbor. While not specifically related to the law, Cooley memorializes Watson with his ringing prose: ... it was among the stars this great man found his chief delight, and fitting it was that he should do so. He knew the stars as one knows the faces of his friends ... But it is the last few pages of the tribute that Cooley asserts the glory of the State of Michigan and specifically, the University of Michigan: ... here was and always must have been his scientific home. It was the University of Michigan that he had crowned with a garland of stars, and from whose Observatory the lightning had announced his successive discoveries... Cooley\u27s finale quotes the Ordinance of 1787 that the fathers of the Republic bound the people of the territory [of Michigan] by the unalterable law, that \u27Religion, Morality, and Knowledge, being necessary to Good Government and the happiness of mankind, Schools and the means of Education shall forever be encouraged

Applications of Emerging Parallel Optical Link Technology to High Energy Physics Experiments

Modern particle detectors depend upon optical fiber links to deliver event data to upstream trigger and data processing systems. Future detector systems can benefit from the development of dense arrangements of high speed optical links emerging from the telecommunications and storage area network market segments. These links support data transfers in each direction at rates up to 120 Gbps in packages that minimize or even eliminate edge connector requirements. Emerging products include a class of devices known as optical engines which permit assembly of the optical transceivers in close proximity to the electrical interfaces of ASICs and FPGAs which handle the data in parallel electrical format. Such assemblies will reduce required printed circuit board area and minimize electromagnetic interference and susceptibility. We will present test results of some of these parallel components and report on the development of pluggable FPGA Mezzanine Cards equipped with optical engines to provide to collaborators on the Versatile Link Common Project for the HI-LHC at CERN

Prison-Based Dog Training Programs: Standard Protocol

Across the United States, the number of prison-based dog training programs (PDPs) has increased substantially over the past several years. Currently, there are approximately 255 PDPs across 47 states that operate in a variety of correctional settings; however, there is little information available on how to successfully develop and implement a PDP. As a result, the research team from the Institute for Human-Animal Connection (IHAC) has developed a standard protocol to help guide PDP development and implementation. This report identifies common practices of PDPs and incorporates both general and context-specific recommendations that were gathered from interviews with PDP staff, relevant literature, and content experts. In total, 21 interviews with 20 programs were conducted. PDPs were asked about several program features, including policies and procedures, key personnel, funding, materials, physical spaces, supervision and monitoring, safety considerations, animal welfare, handler selection and training, and program benefits. This report highlights the benefits of PDPs to dogs, humans, prisons, local communities, and society as a whole and identifies challenges related to funding, staffing, and operating in a correctional setting. Findings from the protocol point to the importance of planning, staffing, communication, internal support, and training curriculum in successful program implementation

Chemical diffusion of fluorine in melts in the system Na2OAl2O3SiO2

The volatilization of fluorine from three melts in the system Na2OAl2O3SiO2 has been investigated at 1 atm pressure and 1200–1400°C. The melts chosen have base compositions corresponding to albite, jadeite and a peraluminous melt with 75 mole % SiO2. Melt spheres were suspended from platinum loops in a vertical tube furnace in a flow of oxygen gas, then quenched, sectioned and analysed by electron microprobe. The microprobe scans indicate that transport of fluorine to the melt-vapor interface is by binary, concentration-independent interdiffusion of fluorine and oxygen. FO interdiffusivity increases in the order albite < peraluminous < jadeite. There is no simple reciprocal relationship between FO interdiffusivity and melt viscosity. Comparison with data on high-pressure interdiffusivity of fluorine and oxygen in jadeite melt indicates that FO interdiffusivity increases with pressure from 0.001 to 10 kbar while the activation energy remains unchanged. Fluorine chemical diffusivity in albite melt is substantially lower than H2O chemical diffusivity in obsidian melts suggesting that different diffusive mechanisms are responsible for the transport of F and H2O in igneous melts. Fluorine diffuses in albite melt via an anionic exchange with oxygen whereas water probably diffuses in obsidian melt via an alkali exchange mechanism

Evaluation of emerging parallel optical link technology for high energy physics

Modern particle detectors utilize optical fiber links to deliver event data to upstream trigger and data processing systems. Future detector systems can benefit from the development of dense arrangements of high speed optical links emerging from industry advancements in transceiver technology. Supporting data transfers of up to 120 Gbps in each direction, optical engines permit assembly of the optical transceivers in close proximity to ASICs and FPGAs. Test results of some of these parallel components will be presented including the development of pluggable FPGA Mezzanine Cards equipped with optical engines to provide to collaborators on the Versatile Link Common Project for the HI-LHC at CERN

Evaluation of IL-1 blockade as a host-directed therapy for tuberculosis in mice and macaques [preprint]

In 2017, there were over 550,000 estimated new cases of multi-drug/rifampicin resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB), emphasizing a need for new treatment strategies. Linezolid (LZD) is a potent antibiotic for antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive infections and is an effective treatment for TB. However, extended LZD use can lead to LZD-associated host toxicities, most commonly bone marrow suppression. LZD toxicities may be mediated by IL-1, a pathway important for early immunity during M. tuberculosis infection that later contributes to pathology. We hypothesized LZD efficacy could be enhanced by modulation of IL-1 pathway to reduce BM toxicity and TB associated-inflammation. We used two animal models of TB to test our hypothesis, mice and cynomolgus macaques. Antagonizing IL-1 in chronically-infected mice reduced lung neutrophil numbers and partially restored the erythroid progenitor populations that are depleted by LZD. In macaques, we found no conclusive evidence of BM suppression associated with LZD, indicating our treatment time may have been short enough to avoid the toxicities observed in humans. Though treatment was only 1 month, the majority of granulomas were sterilized with reduced inflammation (assessed by PET/CT) in animals treated with both LZD and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Rn). However, overall lung inflammation was significantly reduced in macaques treated with both IL-1Rn and LZD, compared to LZD alone. Importantly, IL-1Rn administration did not noticeably impair the host response against Mtb or LZD efficacy in either animal model. Together, our data support that inhibition of IL-1 in combination with LZD has potential to be an effective HDT for TB

Spatially variable hydrologic impact and biomass production tradeoffs associated with Eucalyptus (E. grandis) cultivation for biofuel production in Entre Rios, Argentina

Climate change and energy security promote using renewable sources of energy such as biofuels. High woody biomass production achieved from short-rotation intensive plantations is a strategy that is increasing in many parts of the world. However, broad expansion of bioenergy feedstock production may have significant environmental consequences. This study investigates the watershed-scale hydrological impacts of Eucalyptus (E. grandis) plantations for energy production in a humid subtropical watershed in Entre Rios province, Argentina. A Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was calibrated and validated for streamflow, leaf area index (LAI), and biomass production cycles. The model was used to simulate various Eucalyptus plantation scenarios that followed physically based rules for land use conversion (in various extents and locations in the watershed) to study hydrological effects, biomass production, and the green water footprint of energy production. SWAT simulations indicated that the most limiting factor for plant growth was shallow soils causing seasonal water stress. This resulted in a wide range of biomass productivity throughout the watershed. An optimization algorithm was developed to find the best location for Eucalyptus development regarding highest productivity with least water impact. E. grandis plantations had higher evapotranspiration rates compared to existing terrestrial land cover classes; therefore, intensive land use conversion to E. grandis caused a decline in streamflow, with January through March being the most affected months. October was the least-affected month hydrologically, since high rainfall rates overcame the canopy interception and higher ET rates of E. grandis in this month. Results indicate that, on average, producing 1 kg of biomass in this region uses 0.8 m of water, and the green water footprint of producing 1 m fuel is approximately 2150 m water, or 57 m water per GJ of energy, which is lower than reported values for wood-based ethanol, sugar cane ethanol, and soybean biodiesel