Observations of the plasma flow in comet P/Swift‐Tuttle

We present direct ground based observations of the plasma flow sunward and tailward of the nucleus of comet P/Swift‐Tuttle. The observations are long‐slit high resolution spectra of the H_2O^+ emission centered at 6199Å with a velocity resolution of about 7 km s^(−1) (FWHM) and a spatial resolution of about 10^4 km at the comet. Emission is visible from just inside the predicted position of the cometopause on the sunward side of the nucleus out to 5 × 10^5 km on the tailward side. The deceleration of the solar plasma on the sunward side is clearly observed as is the acceleration of cometary ions into the tail. These observations show the effectiveness of ground based methods for the systematic study of cometary plasmas and point to the need for a better theoretical understanding of their acceleration mechanisms

Mutual Mondays, PTSD and Dialogue Process with Veterans of Armed Conflict: Becoming a Facilitator, and Healing Along with Participants

After nearly five years working with youth offenders, addressing the trauma and stress of their lives in gangs and prison I was ready for my current job as a municipal Director of Veterans Services. These positions have given me the opportunity to start addressing posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] that has plagued me for over 20 years, since I flew in the US Navy. Mutual Mondays is a forum I created which brings together veterans using the Dialogue Process to empathically, intellectually, and communally address the effects of participation in armed conflict. Mutual Mondays has been a productive vehicle for veterans connecting with community, moving out of isolation, and starting to recognize, as well as act on opportunities to improve overall health. Based on my personal experience as a veteran and involvement with Mutual Mondays, I believe that the complexity of issues facing the invisibly wounded and the resistance to seek therapy underscore the need for alternative methods of helping them. In this synthesis paper I set the scene with some vignettes, describe how PTSD as a personal and wider social problem led to the idea of mutual support that is central to the Dialogue Process and its implementation in Mutual Mondays. I relate parallel explorations of alternative theories and practices, including my own recent Cognitive Behavioral Therapy treatment as a veteran. With a view to ongoing development, I introduce some working themes, including CANVAS, PEACE, USA, ECDT and disciplined writing and research structures, as well as the challenges of evaluating Mutual Mondays and its potential for use with other populations. To close I revisit the opening scenes. In retrospect I see that the impetus for this project was the desire to learn if a dedicated person or group of people can start a community grassroots effort to serve populations in need that can be replicated easily to other communities if the concept is validated through experience. Going forward, I am interested to know if the wave of momentum will attract care-givers and those in need; and if it is possible to get those served to be in a position to be the care-givers, in a perpetual model of mutual support, positively influencing those giving and receiving

Creation of the Big Sky African Ensemble

Johns, Philip M., MA. Fine Arts, July 2007 Integrated Arts and Education Creation of the Big Sky African Ensemble Chairperson: Dorothy Morrison In my final creative project, my primary goal was to reshape and redefine an existing course at Big Sky High School and in so doing to reshape and redefine myself as an artist. In the process of creating the African ensemble, I had to examine the cannons of my formal musical training to include an exploration of new avenues of expression and creativity. I had to creatively problem solve and overcome many obstacles while developing and maintaining a viable high school course. The changes I endured helped to reshape my artist self. Through my experience in preparing my final creative project, I learned I have the skills to develop and implement an arts\u27 curriculum in which I could actively participate and grow as an artist and teacher. I gained insight into areas of myself and career which had remained dormant or undiscovered. While I developed technical skills and gained proficiency as a hand drummer, organizer and orchestrator, I made the philosophical discovery which cuts to the heart of my endeavors. The discovery that artists can change lives. I had always been told I was changing lives, but at some deep level I thought it was simply a cliche„S until I witnessed the transformation of my students take place before my very eyes. Through my project, I have given voice and place, not only to myself, but to the many troubled students who pass in and out of my charge

Assessment of endangered beach layia (Layia carnosa) on the Monterey Peninsula

Coastal dunes are a unique and dynamic habitat, containing fauna that have adapted to life in harsh maritime conditions. While these species have managed to thrive in such a habitat, human influences may undermine their continued success. Beach layia (Layia carnosa), a small annual herb, is one example of a species which has become isolated by habitat loss from human expansion. Endemic to California, it exhibits a patchy distribution along the coast, and occurs in two dunes systems on the Monterey Peninsula, Asilomar State Beach and Indian Village Dunes. Previous estimates at these two sites indicate a small population size, less than 200 plants at Asilomar State Beach and unknown numbers at Indian Village Dunes. A complete census conducted at both sites in March 2009 revealed a total population of 1,973 plants. Density estimates at Indian Village Dunes showed less than one plant per square meter. Staggered germination timing was also discovered from late January to March, and most plants did not reach reproductive maturity until late March early April. Understanding basic population biology and timing, along with an accurate census, is essential for protection and management of this species

Getting from Here to There: An Outline of the Wildlands Reserve Design Process

Turning back the assault on the natural world is a monumental and complex task; even the first step – planning a network of reserves – is an enormous undertaking. This paper is intended as a general guide to the steps needed to produce a regional proposal for a Wildlands reserve system. It is based on an assessment of work underway in some regions, and extensive discussion with regional groups throughout the continent

Awassi fat tails : a chance for premium exports

Most prople have heard of the Awassi, even if they have never seen one. This unique breed of fat tail sheep, imported into Astralia in 1987, was released from quarantine for commercial development nearly 12 months ago. Its supporters believe Awassis could form the basis of a high-value export industry while replacing imports. Developments over the next few years will test its potential and should result in the Awassi playing an important role in an increasingly diversified Australian farming scene

Molecular genetic tools for manipulation of the oleaginous yeast Rhodotorula toruloides

Rhodotorula (Rhodosporidium) toruloides is an oleaginous basidiomycete yeast with great biotechnological potential. Capable of accumulating lipid up to 76 % of its dry biomass and well suited to the metabolism of lignocellulosic hydrolysate, it is a good candidate for production of advanced biofuels as well as a host of other potential roles in industry. However, molecular genetic tools for manipulation of this yeast are lacking and its high genomic GC content can make routine cloning difficult. Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of R. toruloides CBS 14 was demonstrated, and plasmid vectors were developed for transformation of R. toruloides, including elements for Saccharomyces cerevisiae in-yeast assembly. In-yeast assembly is robust to the manipulation of GC-rich DNA and of large plasmids. Using these vectors and an EGFP reporter, a screen to identify inducible promoters was performed, and promoters from the genes NAR1, ICL1, CTR3, and MET16 identified. These promoters have independent induction/repression conditions and different levels and rates of induction. Minimal inducible promoters were determined, which are as small as 200 bp. As well as showing tight regulation of the EGFP marker, the NAR1 promoter was able to drive conditional rescue of a leu2 mutant strain. In parallel, as a proof of principle for production of advanced biofuels, hydrocarbon biosynthesis pathways were expressed in R. toruloides and analysed by GC-MS. After co-expression of Synechococcus elongatus fatty acyl-ACP reductase and fatty aldehyde decarbonylase, and E. coli ferredoxin and ferredoxin reductase, production of the alkane heptadecane was observed. To increase the availability of free fatty acids (FFA) for production of hydrocarbons by other pathways, Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase 2 was expressed, resulting in a 1.3-fold increase in the concentration of FFAs.BBSR

Sportainment: Changing the Pace of Limited-overs Cricket in South Africa

This study addresses the need to deepen the understanding of sports marketing in an emerging market context. The in-depth case study of Standard Bank Pro20 Cricket explores the strategy, execution and results of the successful launch of a new cricket format in South Africa. As such, it contributes to the theory and practice of sport marketing, especially sport event sponsorship. Schwartz and Hunter (2008) highlight the “lucrative” (p. 251) nature of tournaments and championships sponsorships, given the opportunity for media and advertising exposure related to the event. This study documents the effective use of a partnership approach to sponsorship (Meenaghan, 2002) and the creative use of multiple sponsorship activations to achieve the sponsorship’s objectives

The decay and stability of internal wave modes in a multisheeted thermocline

Internal wave motions are considered in a thermocline that consists of thin sheets across which there are abrupt changes in the density. These sheets are separated by homogeneous layers of water in which there is turbulent mixing. Investigations have been undertaken to determine the dependence of both the rate of energy dissipation and the dynamical stability upon the number of sheets in the thermocline...