Direct measurement of the HCl dimer tunneling rate and Cl isotope dependence by far-infrared laser sideband spectroscopy of planar supersonic jets

The large amplitude tunneling motion of the HCl dimer has been directly studied with a tunable far‐infrared laser sideband/two-dimensional free jet expansion spectrometer at hyperfine resolution. Rotationless tunneling rates for the three common chlorine isotopic forms are v(35–35)=463 979.2(1) MHz, v(35–37)=463 357.7(1) MHz, and v(37–37)=462 733.7(3) MHz. Both the rotational constants and hyperfine parameters indicate that the vibrationally averaged structure shows little variation within a given tunneling state, with both HCl bond angles giving an average projection on the a-axis of 47° in all states with resolved hyperfine patterns

Rule 68 - Should Costs Incurred after the Offer of Judgment be Included in Calculating the Judgment Finally Obtained - The So-Called Novel Issue in Roberts v. Swain

This article analyzes use of force law under North Carolina and federal standards. This article emphasizes methodology and leading Supreme Court, Fourth Circuit and North Carolina cases. Statutory and common law use of force standards under North Carolina law including self defense and apparent dangers are explored. The article analyzes the prevailing federal liability standards which are employed in determining whether use of force is excessive, particularly in mistaken belief\u27 cases. Finally, the nature of expert testimony typically admissible in use of force litigation is reviewed

Methods of season extension for market gardeners

Season extension methods have been used in many climates and crops for centuries on all scales of vegetable production. Our research compared the effect of six season extension methods on soil and ambient temperatures and yields of warm and cool season vegetables in organic production. The methods under investigation in field plots were row cover, row cover with water tubes, low tunnel, low tunnel with water tubes, and a control for comparison, which were all replicated three times in field plots. The cold frame, and cold frame with water buffer treatments were replicated once in separate structures. Radishes, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, and arugula were grown in the spring and fall of 2006 and the spring of 2007. Plantings were scheduled according to the level of protection expected for each treatment. Air and soil temperatures were measured throughout the growing seasons. Both early (harvested before the control) and total fruit, root, and leaf yields were recorded. Air and soil temperatures in the experimental treatments were generally higher than the control. Cold frame temperatures were the highest, followed by row covers and low tunnel temperatures, which were sometimes similar to the control. The inclusion of water in plastic tubes showed trends toward increased temperatures, but these trends were rarely significant. The total yields for warm season crops in the field plot treatments were higher than the control. Cool season crops in the field plot treatments did not show differences only trends towards increased yield because of their lower temperature requirements. The total yield in the two cold frame treatments was higher than the field plot treatments in all crops for both years. Early fruit yields were higher for the warm season crops in the field plots and in the cold frames, with much higher early yields observed in the cold frames. The water tubes in the field plots significantly increased yields in pepper crops for both years even though temperature was not always affected. Harvests were extended for up to four weeks in the spring. These results show potential for extended growth and profitability, especially in warm season vegetable crops using season extension methods. Yield increases were most pronounced in the pepper crop. Cold frame treatments showed the highest yield and profitability. Row covers with water tubes would be a lower cost alternative to cold frames if lower initial costs are desired

Rule 68 - Should Costs Incurred after the Offer of Judgment be Included in Calculating the Judgment Finally Obtained - The So-Called Novel Issue in Roberts v. Swain

This article analyzes use of force law under North Carolina and federal standards. This article emphasizes methodology and leading Supreme Court, Fourth Circuit and North Carolina cases. Statutory and common law use of force standards under North Carolina law including self defense and apparent dangers are explored. The article analyzes the prevailing federal liability standards which are employed in determining whether use of force is excessive, particularly in mistaken belief\u27 cases. Finally, the nature of expert testimony typically admissible in use of force litigation is reviewed

Physiological, psychological, and performance differences between Wii fitness gaming and traditional gym exercises

Video gaming systems market themselves as tools for promoting physical activity or physical therapy. In this investigation, we wanted to compare the Wii console system game EA Sports Active to traditional gym exercises using five activities: basketball passing, basketball shooting, biceps curls, body squats, and jogging. Our hypotheses were that: (1) physiological demand would be greater in the gym than on the Wii, (2) psychological measures of exertion would be greater in the gym than on the Wii, and (3) performance would be poorer in the gym than on the Wii. Ten young adults participated in the study, completing all five exercises in both settings. Heart rate recordings were higher for four of the five exercises when performed in the gym versus on the Wii, though estimations of caloric expenditure in the jogging exercise did not differ between the two settings. Ratings of perceived exertion and difficulty were higher in the gym versus on the Wii for half of the exercises but not different for the remaining ones. For the basketball exercises, accuracy was consistently lower in the gym versus on the Wii. These results support use of active video gaming to ameliorate inactivity or to help in physical therapy and rehabilitation, but point out important differences between the gym versus Wii exercise that are important in determining which may be better for general exercise, skill-building, promoting recovery.Faculty Sponsor: Dr. David S. Senchin

Tunable far-infrared laser spectroscopy of deuterated isotopomers of Ar–H2O

Several far-infrared vibration-rotation-tunneling transitions have been measured in deuterated isotopomers of Ar–H2O for the first time. These experimental results will enable the generation of improved intermolecular potential energy surfaces for the Ar–H2O system when combined with existing microwave, far-infrared, and infrared data

Assessing the Tennessee Extension Master Gardener Program Using Both County Coordinator and Extension Volunteer Perspectives

The Extension Master Gardener (EMG) program is a vital contributor to Tennessee Extension residential and consumer horticulture education and outreach. In 2014, 2,480 volunteers statewide completed service and education requirements to achieve or maintain certified EMG status. These volunteers, led by Tennessee Extension agent county coordinators, contributed over 178,800 hours of service while recording over 30,300 hours of continuing education. These totals illustrate both the contributions of EMG volunteers to horticulture outreach and their desire for education to enhance their own knowledge and skill. Understanding the most needed areas of training for EMG volunteers to support their education and outreach to residents is critical to the growth and impact of the program. Therefore, a study was undertaken in 2015 to survey both EMG volunteers and coordinators to determine educational needs for volunteers as well as the preferred training delivery methods. Respondents consistently rated horticultural training in edible and ornamental crops as well as pest and disease management as high priorities. Similarly, hands-on and in-person presentations and printed materials were rated as highly important training methods. Results indicate potential training priorities for the future but also suggest a need to explore differences between coordinator and volunteer perspectives in some areas

On the persistence of supplementary resources in biomedical publications

BACKGROUND: Providing for long-term and consistent public access to scientific data is a growing concern in biomedical research. One aspect of this problem can be demonstrated by evaluating the persistence of supplementary data associated with published biomedical papers. METHODS: We manually evaluated 655 supplementary data links extracted from PubMed abstracts published 1998–2005 (Method 1) as well as a further focused subset of 162 full-text manuscripts published within three representative high-impact biomedical journals between September and December 2004 (Method 2). RESULTS: For Method 1 we found that since 2001, only 71 – 92% of supplementary data were still accessible via the links provided, with 93% of these inaccessible links occurring where supplementary data was not stored with the publishing journal. Of the manuscripts evaluated in Method 2, we found that only 83% of these links were available approximately a year after publication, with 55% of these inaccessible links were at locations outside the journal of publication. CONCLUSION: We conclude that if supplemental data is required to support the publication, journals policies must take-on the responsibility to accept and store such data or require that it be maintained with a credible independent institution or under the terms of a strategic data storage plan specified by the authors. We further recommend that publishers provide automated systems to ensure that supplementary links remain persistent, and that granting bodies such as the NIH develop policies and funding mechanisms to maintain long-term persistent access to these data