Linewidth characteristics of Raman-shifted dye laser output at 720 and 940 nm

Existing DIAL systems for water vapor measurements in the troposphere operate at wavelengths near 720 nm. The use of stronger water vapor absorption lines in the range 930 to 960 nm will significantly improve DIAL measurements in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere where water vapor concentrations are low. The generation of light at 940 nm using a frequency doubled Nd:YAG pumped dye laser is inefficient due to the small absorption if infrared dyes at the pump wavelength. However, 940 nm generation utilizing stimulated Raman scattering of dye lasers is attractive because of a potentially high conversion efficiency plus the possibility of retaining the narrow linewidth available from some dye lasers. The Raman conversion efficiency and line broadening are presented for first Stokes operation at 720 and 940 nm using hydrogen and deuterium as the Raman media

Why Are Ring Galaxies Interesting?

Compared with ordinary spirals, the ISM in ring galaxies experiences markedly different physical conditions and evolution. As a result, ring galaxies provide interesting perspectives on the triggering/quenching of large scale star formation and the destructive effects of massive stars on molecular cloud complexes. We use high resolution radio, sub-millimeter, infrared, and optical data to investigate the role of gravitational stability in star formation regulation, factors influencing the ISM's molecular fraction, and evidence of peculiar star formation laws and efficiencies in two highly evolved ring galaxies: Cartwheel and the Lindsay-Shapley ring.Comment: 6 pages with 4 figures (2 color). To appear in the conference proceedings for "Galaxy Wars: Stellar Populations and Star Formation in Interacting Galaxies"

Identifying Catholic School Teachers Attitudes and Perceptions about Death and Grief

Death and grief are not frequently discussed with children as a normal part of life. Previous studies show that teachers are not comfortable discussing the subject in the classrooms. As a trusted source, school nurses are able to help school staff recognize potential signs and symptoms of death and grief with a student dealing with a loss, providing information, educational resources and support. The purpose of this study was to identify the attitudes and perceptions about death and grief of Catholic School teachers working among elementary school age children kindergarten through eighth grades. A convenience sample of 47 teachers from three Catholic schools located in Northern California were approached and participated in the project. Using a Likert type scale, an anonymous survey about death and grief attitudes and perceptions was given to teachers at a regular staff meeting. Results indicated that the teachers were comfortable discussing death and grief with their students, but were not completely confident in locating information about death and grief or integrating it into the classroom curriculum. In order to help children deal more effectively with death and loss, school nurses need to be more aware of how school staff deal with death and grief, and provide support and resources when needed

Polygamous Marriage, Monogamous Divorce

Could the constitutional right to marry also encompass polygamy? That question, which has long intrigued legal scholars, has taken on even greater significance in the wake of Obergefell v. Hodges. This Article answers that question in a novel way by scrutinizing the practice of plural marriage through the lens of economic game theory, exploring the extreme harms that would befall the state should polygamy become law. More specifically, the Article delves into the ex ante consequences of legalization, not on practicing polygamists (as is typically the focus), but on sequential bigamists—that is, those who never intend to have more than one spouse at any given time but who nonetheless marry more than one person in their lifetime. The Article concludes that the state has a compelling economic interest in limiting marriage to two people. If polygamy were to become the law of the land, states could no longer prohibit bigamy. In turn, separating couples would lose one of the strongest incentives they currently have to choose formal divorce proceedings over the seemingly simpler option of mutual desertion: the threat of criminal charges for bigamy. In essence, a sequential bigamist could then marry multiple times in his lifetime without ever divorcing and, at the same time, without risking a criminal charge of bigamy. Such actions—dubbed “sequential polygamy”—would compromise the state’s interest in protecting its citizens from financial harms. After all, divorce proceedings provide the state with an opportunity to intercede into the process, thereby obtaining some assurance that those who are leaving a marriage are not doing so at their financial peril. With the legalization of polygamy, however, bigamy becomes a thing of the past, eroding the state’s ability to encourage divorce as a means of safeguarding the health and safety of its citizens. Most concerning is the impact this change would have on those living in poverty—the people likely to be hardest hit by any societal shift away from formal divorce. Finally, any attempts by the state to distinguish between bigamy and polygamy (for example, by permitting plural marriage but only if all spouses consent), would fail to ameliorate the resulting harm to its citizens

Star Formation and the Interstellar Medium In Nearby Tidal Streams (SAINTS): Spitzer Mid-infrared Spectroscopy and Imaging of Intergalactic Star-forming Objects

A spectroscopic analysis of 10 intergalactic star forming objects (ISFOs) and a photometric analysis of 67 ISFOs in a sample of 14 interacting systems is presented. The majority of the ISFOs have relative polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) band strengths similar to those of nearby spiral and starburst galaxies. In contrast to what is observed in blue compact dwarfs (BCDs) and local giant HII regions in the Milky Way (NGC 3603) and the Magellanic Clouds (30 Doradus and N 66), the relative PAH band strengths in ISFOs correspond to models with a significant PAH ion fraction (<50%) and bright emission from large PAHs (~100 carbon atoms). The [NeIII]/[NeII] and [SIV]/[SIII] line flux ratios indicate moderate levels of excitation with an interstellar radiation field that is harder than the majority of the Spitzer Infrared Nearby Galaxies Survey and starburst galaxies, but softer than BCDs and local giant HII regions. The ISFO neon line flux ratios are consistent with a burst of star formation < 6 million years ago. Most of the ISFOs have ~million solar masses of warm molecular hydrogen with a likely origin in photo-dissociation regions (PDRs). Infrared Array Camera photometry shows the ISFOs to be bright at 8 um, with one third having [4.5] - [8.0] > 3.7, i.e., enhanced non-stellar emission, most likely due to PAHs, relative to normal spirals, dwarf irregulars and BCD galaxies. The relative strength of the 8 um emission compared to that at 3.6 um or 24 um separates ISFOs from dwarf galaxies in Spitzer two color diagrams. The infrared power in two thirds of the ISFOs is dominated by emission from grains in a diffuse interstellar medium. One in six ISFOs have significant emission from PDRs, contributing ~30 % - 60 % of the total power. ISFOs are young knots of intense star formation.Comment: Accepted in ApJ. 49 pages 9 figure

President Higdon\u27s 93rd Commencement Address

President Higdon tells the Centennial Class of 2011: You have the unique experience of graduating when the College is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Every Commencement is an opportunity to look back and look ahead. Your Commencement is special because the whole College is looking with you. Further, he lauds the graduates who have shared your talents with the world through study abroad, internships and special research projects. I am impressed and deeply gratified by the work you have done – it is a strong indication of the impact you will continue to have throughout your lives. You have become experienced activists and advocates. Working to support, nurture and protect refugees in Rwanda, white lions in Africa, impoverished youth in Brazil… And in the US, studying energy alternatives, mental health issues and acting as advocates for underprivileged youth – in your home communities and right here in New London

President Higdon\u27s 2008 Commencement Address

President Leo I. Higdon, Jr. tells the Class of 2008 that they have impressed him with their intelligence and talents, their compassion and integrity, and their engagement in the world around them through community service in New London and across the world

President Higdon\u27s 91st Commencement Address

President Lee Higdon told the 2009 graduates You are graduating at a pivotal time in US history – indeed, in the history of the world. In a global economic upheaval, traditional companies and organizations seek to redefine themselves and the work they do. Increasingly, they will look to your generation, and specifically to liberal arts graduates, for answers

President Higdon\u27s 2007 Commencement Address

President Higdon advises the 2007 graduates: Use your words well. Think about how your behaviors, your actions and your words can affect others. Live by the Honor Code. And if you find yourself faltering, or in a difficult situation, reflect back on what the Honor Code has meant to you, what this community has meant to you. And draw strength from that. The only other bit of advice I will give you is one you have heard me mention often. And that is, stay connected to this College. You are our newest class of alumni. And that means this College is yours. Forever. Continue to be a part of this community

President Higdon\u27s 92nd Commencement Address

President Higdon tells graduates they are graduating at a pivotal time in U.S. history – indeed, in the history of the world. In a global economic upheaval, traditional companies and organizations seek to redefine themselves and the work they do. Increasingly, they will look to this generation, and specifically to liberal arts graduates, for answers whose comprehensive education has given them the qualities to succeed in the global arena. They are graduating at an important point in Connecticut College’s history, with a Centennial Celebration ahead that will involve them and all the College community, honoring the College’s legacy of excellence and looking ahead to all of the possibilities the future holds