Amorphous metallizations for high-temperature semiconductor device applications

The initial results of work on a class of semiconductor metallizations which appear to hold promise as primary metallizations and diffusion barriers for high temperature device applications are presented. These metallizations consist of sputter-deposited films of high T sub g amorphous-metal alloys which (primarily because of the absence of grain boundaries) exhibit exceptionally good corrosion-resistance and low diffusion coefficients. Amorphous films of the alloys Ni-Nb, Ni-Mo, W-Si, and Mo-Si were deposited on Si, GaAs, GaP, and various insulating substrates. The films adhere extremely well to the substrates and remain amorphous during thermal cycling to at least 500 C. Rutherford backscattering and Auger electron spectroscopy measurements indicate atomic diffussivities in the 10 to the -19th power sq cm/S range at 450 C

Low speed and angle of attack effects on sonic and near-sonic inlets

Tests of the Quiet, Clean Short-Haul Experimental Engine (QCSEE) were conducted to determine the effects of forward velocity and angle of attack on sonic and near-sonic inlet aerodynamic performance penalties and acoustic suppression characteristics. The tests demonstrate that translating centerbody and radial vane sonic inlets, and QCSEE high throat Mach number inlets, can be designed to operate effectively at forward speed and moderate angle of attack with good performance and noise suppression capability. The test equipment and procedures used in conducting the evaluation are described. Results of the tests are presented in tabular form

Multiscale control of flooding and riparian‐forest composition in Lower Michigan, USA

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/117201/1/ecy2009901145.pd

Genomic islands of divergence in the Yellow Tang and the Brushtail Tang Surgeonfishes.

The current ease of obtaining thousands of molecular markers challenges the notion that full phylogenetic concordance, as proposed by phylogenetic species concepts, is a requirement for defining species delimitations. Indeed, the presence of genomic islands of divergence, which may be the cause, or in some cases the consequence, of speciation, precludes concordance. Here, we explore this issue using thousands of RAD markers on two sister species of surgeonfishes (Teleostei: Acanthuridae), Zebrasoma flavescens and Z. scopas, and several populations within each species. Species are readily distinguished based on their colors (solid yellow and solid brown, respectively), yet populations and species are neither distinguishable using mitochondrial markers (cytochrome c oxidase 1), nor using 5193 SNPs (pairwise Φst = 0.034). In contrast, when using outlier loci, some of them presumably under selection, species delimitations, and strong population structure follow recognized taxonomic positions (pairwise Φst = 0.326). Species and population delimitation differences based on neutral and selected markers are likely due to local adaptation, thus being consistent with the idea that these genomic islands of divergence arose as a consequence of isolation. These findings, which are not unique, raise the question of a potentially important pathway of divergence based on local adaptation that is only evident when looking at thousands of loci

Classifying Regional Variation in Thermal Regime Based on Stream Fish Community Patterns

Although the importance of water temperature to the ecology of stream fishes is well documented, relatively little information is available on the extent of regional variation in thermal regime and its influence on stream fish distribution and abundance patterns. In streams draining the heterogeneous glacial landscape of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, regional variation in summer mean temperature and temperature fluctuation is among the highest reported in the literature. We developed a habitat classification to simplify the description of thermal regimes and to describe the relationships between available thermal regimes and distribution patterns of stream fishes. Changes in community composition, species richness, and standing stocks of key fish species occurred across gradients in mean temperature and temperature fluctuation. These changes were used to identify three mean temperature categories (cold, <19°C; cool, 19–<22°C; and warm, ≥22°C) and three temperature fluctuation categories (stable, <5°C; moderate, 5–<10°C; and extreme, ≥10°C). The combination of these categories resulted in a 3 × 3 matrix with nine discrete thermal regimes. The classification developed in this study provides a framework for descriptions of the realized thermal niche of stream fishes, and can be used as a baseline for measurement of changes in distribution patterns associated with future climate warming. Our results suggest that observed differences in community structure among sites are largely attributable to spatial variation in mean temperature and temperature fluctuation. Thus, accounting for the linkage between regional variation in thermal regime and fish community structure should improve our ability to effectively assess and manage stream resources.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/141912/1/tafs0018.pd

The Proportion of Snail Kites Attempting to Breed and the Number of Breeding Attempts per Year in Florida

During the breeding season of 1995 we monitored the proportion of adult and subadult Snail Kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis) attempting to breed and the number of breeding attempts using radio telemetry. Our sample consisted of 23 adults (14 females, 9 males) and 9 subadults for which we had data over the entire breeding season. All adults attempted to breed at least once with an observed average of 1.4 (± 0.6 SD) breeding attempts per individual. In contrast, only 3 (33%) of the subadults attempted to breed. Of the adults, 15 (65%) made one breeding attempt, 7 (30%) made two breeding attempts,and 1 (4%) attempted three times. Only one bird (4%) successfully raised two broods. Our data are consistent with previous reports that \u3e1 breeding attempt by Snail Kites in Florida is common during some years, although our estimate for 1995 was lower han previously reported estimates. A combination of our estimation procedures, definitions of a breeding attempt, and annual variability of this parameter probably account for the disparity between our data and previous reports

Annual Survival of Snail Kites in Florida: Radio Telemetry versus Capture-Resighting Data

We estimated annual survival of Snail Kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis) in Florida using the Kaplan-Meier estimator with data from 271 radio-tagged birds over a three-year period and capture-recapture (resighting) models with data from 1,319 banded birds over a six-year period. We tested the hypothesis that survival differed among three age classes using both data sources. We tested additional hypotheses about spatial and temporal variation using a combination of data from radio telemetry and single- and multistrata capture-recapture models. Results from these data sets were similar in their indications of the sources of variation in survival, but they differed in some parameter estimates. Both data sources indicated that survival was higher for adults than for juveniles, but they did not support delineation of a subadult age class. Our data also indicated that survival differed among years and regions for juveniles but not for adults. Estimates of juvenile survival using radio telemetry data were higher than estimates using capture-recapture models for two of three years (1992 and 1993). Ancillary evidence based on censored birds indicated that some mortality of radio-tagged juveniles went undetected during those years, resulting in biased estimates. Thus, we have greater confidence in our estimates of juvenile survival using capture-recapture models. Precision of estimates reflected the number of parameters estimated and was surprisingly similar between radio telemetry and single-stratum capture-recapture models, given the substantial differences in sample sizes. Not having to estimate resighting probability likely offsets, to some degree, the smaller sample sizes from our radio telemetry data. Precision of capture-recapture models was lower using multistrata models where region-specific parameters were estimated than using single-stratum models, where spatial variation in parameters was not taken into account

A depolarization and attenuation experiment using the COMSTAR and CTS satellites

Monthly statistical data are presented on ground rainfall rate and attenuation of satellite downlinks at 11.7 GHz, 19.04 GHz, and 28.56 GHz and on cross-polarization isolation at 11.7 GHz. Regression equations for relating isolation to attenuation, attenuation to rain rate, and attenuation at one frequency to attenuation at another frequency are also included. Longer-term statistics are also presented and discussed

Structural Analysis and Testing of the Inflatable Re-entry Vehicle Experiment (IRVE)

The Inflatable Re-entry Vehicle Experiment (IRVE) is a 3.0 meter, 60 degree half-angle sphere cone, inflatable aeroshell experiment designed to demonstrate various aspects of inflatable technology during Earth re-entry. IRVE will be launched on a Terrier-Improved Orion sounding rocket from NASA s Wallops Flight Facility in the fall of 2006 to an altitude of approximately 164 kilometers and re-enter the Earth s atmosphere. The experiment will demonstrate exo-atmospheric inflation, inflatable structure leak performance throughout the flight regime, structural integrity under aerodynamic pressure and associated deceleration loads, thermal protection system performance, and aerodynamic stability. Structural integrity and dynamic response of the inflatable will be monitored with photogrammetric measurements of the leeward side of the aeroshell during flight. Aerodynamic stability and drag performance will be verified with on-board inertial measurements and radar tracking from multiple ground radar stations. In addition to demonstrating inflatable technology, IRVE will help validate structural, aerothermal, and trajectory modeling and analysis techniques for the inflatable aeroshell system. This paper discusses the structural analysis and testing of the IRVE inflatable structure. Equations are presented for calculating fabric loads in sphere cone aeroshells, and finite element results are presented which validate the equations. Fabric material properties and testing are discussed along with aeroshell fabrication techniques. Stiffness and dynamics tests conducted on a small-scale development unit and a full-scale prototype unit are presented along with correlated finite element models to predict the in-flight fundamental mo

Snail Kite Nest Success and Water Levels : A Reply to Beissinger and Snyder

Beissinger and Snyder present a commentary on our recent paper on spatial and temporal variability in nest success of Snail Kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis) in Florida (Dreitz et al. 2001). Beissinger and Snyder reanalyze a subset of data presented in our original paper to show that water levels have a significant influence on nest success. To make their argument, the authors conduct separate analyses for 5 of the original 11 wetlands; including only those having the most data. We agree with Beissinger and Snyder that water levels can affect nest success in some areas or years, as we stated in Dreitz et al. (2001). However, the purpose of our original paper was to examine the influences of nest success over broad spatial and temporal scales. When viewed in this context, using a meta-analysis, water levels alone explain only a small amount of the observed variation in nest success. One of the advantages of using a meta-analysis is that it uses all of the available data to provide an indication of the overall magnitude of an effect, which can easily be misinterpreted when viewed in a narrower context of individual study sites. We discuss the management implication of these alternative perspectives on water levels in light of their effect on habitat quality and persistence