A Dramatistic Analysis of Nevada\u27s Controversy over Solar Net Metering Incentive Policies

Utilizing a dramatistic rhetorical lens (Burke, 1945), this project examines Nevada’s 2015-2017 public controversy to decide whether or not to implement solar net metering incentives. By examining communication surrounding The Public Utility Commission of Nevada (PUCN), NV Energy, and SolarCity, this thesis analyzes the underlying social orientations contained within the controversy’s discourse. This thesis examines how the environment was left out of solar energy discourse in favor of economic reasoning. Nevada’s solar controversy is an important component of humanity’s unending conversation about our relationship to the environment and an important case study to develop our understanding of public controversy

CONSTRAINTS ON THE DEPOSITIONAL AGES OF LESSER HIMALAYAN ROCKS IN CENTRAL NEPAL AND THEIR STRUCTURAL IMPLICATIONS

The lack of good exposures and paucity of datable horizons in central Nepal has hindered the ability of geologists to piece together a relatively cohesive and straightforward stratigraphic succession within the Lesser Himalaya. U-Pb isotopic analyses of detrital zircons from the Modi Khola valley indicates maximum depositional ages of ~1875 Ma for the Kuncha Formation, ~1800 Ma for the Fagfog Formation, and ~ 1780 Ma for the Kushma Formation. The intrusive 1831 ± 17 Ma Ulleri augen gneiss provides a minimum depositional age bound for the Kuncha. Combined, these data suggest the Kuncha Formation is the oldest member of the Lesser Himalayan series in central Nepal. Additionally, 13C data suggest the Malekhu Formation of the Lakharpata Group was deposited before ca. 1250 Ma. A field mapping comparison based on the redefined stratigraphy indicates the Ramgarh thrust is located >10 km farther south than previously mapped, potentially reducing regional shortening estimates

An integrated study of earth resources in the State of California based on ERTS-1 and supporting aircraft data, volume 1

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

Colossal Effects in Transition Metal Oxides Caused by Intrinsic Inhomogeneities

The influence of quenched disorder on the competition between ordered states separated by a first-order transition is investigated. A phase diagram with features resembling quantum-critical behavior is observed, even using classical models. The low-temperature paramagnetic regime consists of coexisting ordered clusters, with randomly oriented order parameters. Extended to manganites, this state is argued to have a colossal magnetoresistance effect. A scale T* for cluster formation is discussed. This is the analog of the Griffiths temperature, but for the case of two competing orders, producing a strong susceptibility to external fields. Cuprates may have similar features, compatible with the large proximity effect of the very underdoped regime.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Relevance of Cooperative Lattice Effects and Correlated Disorder in Phase-Separation Theories for CMR Manganites

Previous theoretical investigations of colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) materials explain this effect using a ``clustered'' state with preformed ferromagnetic islands that rapidly align their moments with increasing external magnetic fields. While qualitatively successful, explicit calculations indicate drastically different typical resistivity values in two- and three-dimensional lattices, contrary to experimental observations. This conceptual bottleneck in the phase-separated CMR scenario is resolved here considering the cooperative nature of the Mn-oxide lattice distortions. This induces power-law correlations in the quenched random fields used in toy models with phase competition. When these effects are incorporated, resistor-network calculations reveal very similar results in two and three dimensions, solving the puzzle.Comment: RevTeX 4, 4 figure

Randomness Effect on Multicritical Phenomena in Double-Exchange Systems

Double-exchange model interacting with adiabatic phonons is studied in the presence of randomness by using the Monte-Carlo method and the systematic size-scaling analysis. A bicritical behavior is found between the ferromagnetic metal and the charge-ordered insulator. We find the distinct response to the randomness between these two states, which agrees well with the experimental results in the colossal magnetoresistance manganites.Comment: 2 pages including 2 figures, Proceedings for ICM200

Long-term effects of non-surgical therapy for obesity on cardiovascular risk management: a weighted empirical review

Weight loss affects cardiovascular risk profiles in obese patients. Surgery is not a plausible or viable response to the public health problem of obesity, given that more than 30% of adults are obese in some countries. However, most studies investigating the effects of weight loss on the cardiovascular risk profile are focussed on weight loss and limited to short-term effects. Since newer data show a rebound of cardiovascular risks in studies that complete a short-term follow-up, the question arises whether, and to what extent, long-term treatments offer a more sustained cardiovascular benefit beside the extensive or less marked weight loss. Aims The purpose of this article is to critically review existing data on the long-term cardiovascular effects of weight loss in obese and overweight patients treated with dietary interventions, physical activity programmes, behavioural therapy and pharmacological treatments and their combination. Method Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed, randomized controlled trials (RCT) in the English language which presented data on cardiovascular effects at a follow-up of at least 18months during or after weight reduction interventions. The search was limited to adults and the publication years between 1990 and 2007. Studies of patients with diagnoses such as coronary heart disease and cancer, and medically treated diabetes and hypertension were excluded. Results Twenty-three studies measured cardiovascular risk factors after 18months or more. Mean BMI was 33.9kg/m2 including 13,733 patients. Mean duration of the studies was 37months with a dropout rate of 16.1% on average. Regardless of the absolute amount of weight loss a positive effect on cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure, lipids and glucose tolerance was foun

Rotary machine having back to back turbines

A rotary machine having a pair of back to back turbines in serial flow relationship is disclosed. Various construction details are developed which permit for a compact design. In one detailed embodiment the turbine has a housing having an inlet manifold and an exit manifold which are disposed between the outlet manifold for an associated turbopump