IR spectroscopy of COmosphere dynamics with the CO first overtone band

We discuss observations of the weak first overtone CO absorption band near 2300 nm with the U.S. National Solar Observatory Array Camera (NAC), a modern mid-infrared detector. This molecular band provides a thermal diagnostic that forms lower in the atmosphere than the stronger fundamental band near 4600 nm. The observed center-to-limb increase in CO line width qualitatively agrees with the proposed higher temperature shocks or faster plasma motions higher in the COmosphere. The spatial extent of chromospheric shock waves is currently at or below the diffraction limit of the available C0 lines at existing telescopes. Five minute period oscillations in line strength and measured Doppler shifts are consistent with the p-mode excitation of the photospheric gas. We also show recent efforts at direct imaging at 4600 nm. We stress that future large-aperture solar telescopes must be teamed with improved, dynamic mid-infrared instruments, like the NAC, to capitalize on the features that motivate such facilities.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, Published in Astronomische Nachrichten on behalf of the 1st EAST-ATST Workshop: "Science with Large Solar Telescopes

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Honorable Mention Wants to Publish Your Articles on Traveling

Honorable Mention is soliciting articles on travel abroad experiences by former and current Honors students, faculty, and staff

Dr. Ayres, Assistant Director of Honors and Fulbright Scholar

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Opportunity for publication in the Honors journal Sanctuary, published by the Southern Regional Honors Council

Developing a socially-embedded point-of-use water treatment strategy incorporating silver nanoparticles and microwave radiation

Providing safe drinking water is a multifaceted problem that goes beyond a treatment device and deserves a holistic approach with respect to sanitation, handling, education, and customs of the target community. Socially-embedded point-of-use treatment strategies based on familiar components are more likely to receive prolonged use from the residents. Microwave ovens are a globally diffused, socially accepted technology that are enticing options for foundations of irradiation-based treatment. Taking advantage of the exceptional qualities of certain materials at the nano-scale allows one to utilize the low-energy radiation of microwave rays. This study focused on silver nanoparticles under the hypothesis that increased temperature from microwave exposure would result in increased ion dissolution and heat shock, thus enhancing antimicrobial potency. Using Escherichia coli (K12) as a model microorganism, 1 mL samples containing up to 1 mg/L of suspended silver nanoparticles were irradiated in a microwave reactor (2,450 MHz; 70 W) for 60 and 90 s. A clear synergistic effect between microwave radiation and silver nanoparticles was observed as microbial inactivation increased with additional microwave exposure and higher concentrations of silver. A maximum of 4.7 log₁₀ reduction was achieved after 90 s of irradiation, indicating rapid inactivation as typical batch studies involving silver nanoparticles take on the order of hours to achieve such inactivation. These results are promising for the development of nanomaterials capable of utilizing microwave radiation; however, efficiency will need to be increased in order to treat larger volumes of water. Incorporating various nanomaterials with several stress-inducing mechanisms has the potential to enable irradiation-based disinfection with the globally-diffused microwave oven for treatment at the household level.Environmental and Water Resources Engineerin

Optimal Pooling in Claims Resolution Facilities

The various claims resolution facilities discussed in this symposium exhibit a number of distinctive qualities and governing principles. A common characteristic of many of these facilities, however, is an attempt to avoid the litigation costs of individualized proof of damages by channeling mass tort claims into rough categories for compensation. All claimants within a particular category receive similar compensation, even though they might be able to prove disparate damages through litigation. This article seeks to analyze the efficiency of pooling disparate claims through the categorical compensation of claims facilities. An efficiency standard for evaluating tort law usually focuses on the ability of the legal rules to induce efficient levels of precaution; the costs of implementing the rules are relegated to a second order of importance. But this standard often is inapplicable to claims resolution facilities because many of the settlements that establish the facilities place an absolute cap on the defendant\u27s liability. Ken Feinberg, trustee of the Dalkon Shield Claimants Trust, stressed the importance of such caps to the feasibility of establishing claims facilities: The breakthrough in Agent Orange... and the breakthrough in Dalkon Shield was a court imposed cap on liability. That gives the company total peace .... That is why, once the companies put the money in, they disappeared. Even if aggregate caps are not imposed by judicial fiat, they will be imposed by de facto economic fiat whenever the total liabilities of the defendant corporation exceed its net assets