A note on Volterra integral equations and topological dynamics

Topological dynamics theory applied to nonlinear Volterra equation

Crambe as a Specialty Crop in North Dakota

Production Economics,

Lord of the Rings: A Kinematic Distance to Circinus X-1 from a Giant X-Ray Light Echo

Circinus X-1 exhibited a bright X-ray flare in late 2013. Follow-up observations with Chandra and XMM-Newton from 40 to 80 days after the flare reveal a bright X-ray light echo in the form of four well-defined rings with radii from 5 to 13 arcminutes, growing in radius with time. The large fluence of the flare and the large column density of interstellar dust towards Circinus X-1 make this the largest and brightest set of rings from an X-ray light echo observed to date. By deconvolving the radial intensity profile of the echo with the MAXI X-ray lightcurve of the flare we reconstruct the dust distribution towards Circinus X-1 into four distinct dust concentrations. By comparing the peak in scattering intensity with the peak intensity in CO maps of molecular clouds from the Mopra Southern Galactic Plane CO Survey we identify the two innermost rings with clouds at radial velocity ~ -74 km/s and ~ -81 km/s, respectively. We identify a prominent band of foreground photoelectric absorption with a lane of CO gas at ~ -32 km/s. From the association of the rings with individual CO clouds we determine the kinematic distance to Circinus X-1 to be $D_{Cir X-1} = 9.4^{+0.8}_{-1.0}$ kpc. This distance rules out earlier claims of a distance around 4 kpc, implies that Circinus X-1 is a frequent super-Eddington source, and places a lower limit of $\Gamma \gtrsim 22$ on the Lorentz factor and an upper limit of $\theta_{jet} \lesssim 3^{\circ}$ on the jet viewing angle.Comment: 20 pages, 21 figures, Astrophysical Journal, in prin

Use of anabolic implants in calves to increase weaning weight and backgrounding gains

The main component of the beef industry in South Carolina is cow/calf operations. Recent advances in implant technology are being utilized to help these producers increase weights at time of sale to feedlots. The objective of this study was to determine how the use of anabolic implants in steer calves at 4 mo of age and at weaning altered weight gain at two different farm locations in South Carolina. Steers ( year 1; n= 161, year 2 n=116) from Edisto REC and Simpson REC were randomly allotted into two treatment groups: 1) no implant or 2) implant at 4 mo of age plus implant at weaning. Weights were obtained at implanting, weaning, and the end of backgrounding. Real-time ultrasound measurements of the ribeye area and fat thickness were collected at the end of the backgrounding period. Data were analyzed with the treatment, location, year, and the interaction in the model. Implanting the steers increased (P\u3c0.001) average daily gains from implanting to weaning, weaning to the end of the backgrounding, and overall by 0.36, 0.15, 0.25 lb/hd/d respectively. Implanting also increased ribeye area by 0.34 in2. Weight and gains of the steers differed by location and year but there were no interactions between location, year, and implant treatment. The use of anabolic implants in steer calves at 4 mo of age and then again at weaning helped to increase weight gain, other desirable carcass traits and produced heavier steers for marketing