Microplankton species assemblages at the Scripps Pier from March to November 1983 during the 1982-1984 El Nino event

A semiweekly sampling program at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography pier was begun in 1983 during an El Nino event. Microplankton data for March to November 1983 show a temporal sequence of species assemblages of the 24 important taxa, with a residence time of 1 to 4 weeks. From March to early September, the assemblages consisted of typical neritic taxa. From mid-September to mid-November, the presence of oceanic warm-wave species was associated with positive temperature anomalies characteristic of the El Nino condition. During the period studied numerical abundances were low

Viscous dark fluid Universe: a unified model of the dark sector?

The Universe is modeled as consisting of pressureless baryonic matter and a bulk viscous fluid which is supposed to represent a unified description of the dark sector. In the homogeneous and isotropic background the \textit{total} energy density of this mixture behaves as a generalized Chaplygin gas. The perturbations of this energy density are intrinsically nonadiabatic and source relative entropy perturbations. The resulting baryonic matter power spectrum is shown to be compatible with the 2dFGRS and SDSS (DR7) data. A joint statistical analysis, using also Hubble-function and supernovae Ia data, shows that, different from other studies, there exists a maximum in the probability distribution for a negative present value of the deceleration parameter. Moreover, the unified model presented here favors a matter content that is of the order of the baryonic matter abundance suggested by big-bang nucleosynthesis. A problem of simple bulk viscous models, however, is the behavior of the gravitational potential and the reproduction of the CMB power spectrum.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, contributed paper to 8th Friedmann Seminar, 30 May to 3 June 2011, Rio de Janeiro, Brazi

Developing and Researching PhET simulations for Teaching Quantum Mechanics

Quantum mechanics is difficult to learn because it is counterintuitive, hard to visualize, mathematically challenging, and abstract. The Physics Education Technology (PhET) Project, known for its interactive computer simulations for teaching and learning physics, now includes 18 simulations on quantum mechanics designed to improve learning of this difficult subject. Our simulations include several key features to help students build mental models and intuitions about quantum mechanics: visual representations of abstract concepts and microscopic processes that cannot be directly observed, interactive environments that directly couple students' actions to animations, connections to everyday life, and efficient calculations so students can focus on the concepts rather than the math. Like all PhET simulations, these are developed using the results of education research and feedback from educators, and are tested in student interviews and classroom studies. This article provides an overview of the PhET quantum simulations and their development. We also describe research demonstrating their effectiveness and share some insights about student thinking that we have gained from our research on quantum simulations.Comment: accepted by American Journal of Physics; v2 includes an additional study, more explanation of research behind claims, clearer wording, and more reference

Non-parametric comparison of histogrammed two-dimensional data distributions using the Energy Test

When monitoring complex experiments, comparison is often made between regularly acquired histograms of data and reference histograms which represent the ideal state of the equipment. With the larger HEP experiments now ramping up, there is a need for automation of this task since the volume of comparisons could overwhelm human operators. However, the two-dimensional histogram comparison tools available in ROOT have been noted in the past to exhibit shortcomings. We discuss a newer comparison test for two-dimensional histograms, based on the Energy Test of Aslan and Zech, which provides more conclusive discrimination between histograms of data coming from different distributions than methods provided in a recent ROOT release.The Science and Technology Facilities Council, U

Data management of nanometre­ scale CMOS device simulations

In this paper we discuss the problems arising in managing and curating the data generated by simulations of nanometre scale CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide Semiconductor) transistors, circuits and systems and describe the software and operational techniques we have adopted to address them. Such simulations pose a number of challenges including, inter alia, multi­TByte data volumes, complex datasets with complex inter-relations between datasets, multi­-institutional collaborations including multiple specialisms and a mixture of academic and industrial partners, and demanding security requirements driven by commercial imperatives. This work was undertaken as part of the NanoCMOS project. However, the problems, solutions and experience seem likely to be of wider relevance, both within the CMOS design community and more generally in other disciplines

Improved Probability Method for Estimating Signal in the Presence of Background

A suggestion is made for improving the Feldman Cousins method of estimating signal counts in the presence of background. The method concentrates on finding essential information about the signal and ignoring extraneous information about background. An appropriate method is found which uses the condition that the number of background events obtained does not exceed the total number of events obtained. Several alternative approaches are explored.Comment: Modified 12/21 for singlespace to save trees, 9 pages, 1 figure. Modified 8/11/99 to add small modifications made for the Phys. Rev. articl

Using Monte Carlo Simulation as a Financial Modeling Tool to Support Sustainability Efforts of a Government Agency

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) collects ecosystem data to support coastal resource conservation and management activities by studying stressors that impact estuaries such as the Chesapeake Bay, which is the largest in the United States. This paper seeks to help NOAA justify its existence and its budget by utilizing Monte Carlo simulation as a financial modeling tool, with such simulations providing insights on how to allocate identified resources. The results of the study offer an innovative method for helping government managers decide how much money to spend, what to spend it on, and how to acquire resources for the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System. Moreover, this paper also demonstrates how an experiential project in graduate business education can be used to support sustainability efforts by addressing community-focused issues while improving student connection between theory and application at the same time

Understanding the role of shame and its consequences in female hypersexual behaviours: A pilot study

Background and aims: Hypersexuality and sexual addiction among females is a little understudied phenomenon. Shame is thought to be intrinsic to hypersexual behaviours, especially in women. Therefore, the aim of this study was to understand both hypersexual behaviours and consequences of hypersexual behaviours and their respective contributions to shame in a British sample of females (n = 102). Methods: Data were collected online via Survey Monkey. Results: Results showed the Sexual Behaviour History (SBH) and the Hypersexual Disorder Questionnaire (HDQ) had significant positive correlation with scores on the Shame Inventory. The results indicated that hypersexual behaviours (HBI and HDQ) were able to predict a small percentage of the variability in shame once sexual orientation (heterosexual vs. non-heterosexual) and religious beliefs (belief vs. no belief) were controlled for. Results also showed there was no evidence that religious affiliation and/or religious beliefs had an influence on the levels of hypersexuality and consequences of sexual behaviours as predictors of shame. Conclusions: While women in the UK are rapidly shifting to a feminist way of thinking with or without technology, hypersexual disorder may often be misdiagnosed and misunderstood because of the lack of understanding and how it is conceptualised. The implications of these findings are discussed

Using Monte Carlo Simulation as a Financial Modeling Tool to Support Sustainability Efforts of a Government Agency

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) collects ecosystem data to support coastal resource conservation and management activities by studying stressors that impact estuaries such as the Chesapeake Bay, which is the largest in the United States. This paper seeks to help NOAA justify its existence and its budget by utilizing Monte Carlo simulation as a financial modeling tool, with such simulations providing insights on how to allocate identified resources. The results of the study offer an innovative method for helping government managers decide how much money to spend, what to spend it on, and how to acquire resources for the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System. Moreover, this paper also demonstrates how an experiential project in graduate business education can be used to support sustainability efforts by addressing community-focused issues while improving student connection between theory and application at the same time