Dark matter vs. modifications of the gravitational inverse-square law. Results from planetary motion in the solar system

Dark matter or modifications of the Newtonian inverse-square law in the solar-system are studied with accurate planetary astrometric data. From extra-perihelion precession and possible changes in the third Kepler's law, we get an upper limit on the local dark matter density, rho_{DM} < 3*10^{-16} kg/m^3 at the 2-sigma confidence level. Variations in the 1/r^2 behavior are considered in the form of either a possible Yukawa-like interaction or a modification of gravity of MOND type. Up to scales of 10^{11} m, scale-dependent deviations in the gravitational acceleration are really small. We examined the MOND interpolating function mu in the regime of strong gravity. Gradually varying mu suggested by fits of rotation curves are excluded, whereas the standard form mu(x)= x/(1+x^2)^{1/2} is still compatible with data. In combination with constraints from galactic rotation curves and theoretical considerations on the external field effect, the absence of any significant deviation from inverse square attraction in the solar system makes the range of acceptable interpolating functions significantly narrow. Future radio ranging observations of outer planets with an accuracy of few tenths of a meter could either give positive evidence of dark matter or disprove modifications of gravity.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Assessing the Threat of Coral Decline on Fish Diversity in Response to Temperature

Misali, a PECCA-protected island off the east coast of Pemba, Tanzania, is considered to be a marine biodiversity hotspot with a protected Non-Extractive Zone (NEZ) and remaining Extractive Zone (EZ). Upon protection, the island’s fringe reefs faced severe coral bleaching during the 1998 bleaching event, estimated to kill up to 70% of corals. Since the event, several others have occurred in addition to restructuring the management plan in 2006 to expand the region to 1000km. While the damage from the most recent coral bleaching event in 2020 has yet to be surveyed, this study investigates the current reef health in reflection of temperature differences caused by the western NEZ zone’s proximity to the cold upwelling of the Pemba Channel. In doing so, reef health was defined as high levels of rugosity, low levels of bleaching, and high levels of fish diversity and abundance. These variables were examined independently and concurrently to understand their interdependency and relationships. Once established, reef health was further analyzed in two different temperature zones to understand how reef health in a higher temperature range in the EZ would differ from the reef health in the colder temperature range in the NEZ. Over a 22-day period, 2,799 fish from 24 different families were surveyed along 30 transects split evenly between the NEZ and EZ. For each transect, environmental data were collected, reef rugosity and coral bleaching percent cover estimated, and fish counted according to the pre-established family guide. Statistical significance was found between temperature measurements in the NEZ and EZ, effectively confirming the hypothesis that reefs in the NEZ would inhabit cooler temperatures. Additionally, several families exhibited statistical significance between the two zones, with more inhabiting NEZ reefs. While coral bleaching percent cover was found to have no significant difference between the two zones, the trends expressed graphically identify a relationship between rugosity, bleaching, and fish abundance. The results not only supported the assertion that the three variables shared a correlation with one another but further indicated that reef health as identified above, was stronger in the NEZ cooler waters than in the EZ warmer waters. Thus, this study identifies anthropogenic threats to coral reef ecosystem resiliency on Misali Island in hopes of informing future conservation efforts of Zanzibar’s reefs and beyond

Telegram from Georgia Governor Talmadge to Governor Langer Regarding Legal Representation in Extradition Proceedings, 1933

A telegram from Gov Eugene Talmadge of Georgia to Governor William Langer regarding legal representation of Georgia in extradition proceedings in other states. See also: Governor Langer\u27s reply to Georgia Governor Talmadge\u27s Telegram, 1933https://commons.und.edu/langer-papers/1047/thumbnail.jp

Letter to Sonora Dodd from Eugene Talmadge, June 11, 1935

Letter to Sonora Dodd from Eugene Talmadge, with envelope. Eugene Talmadge served as Governor of Georgia from 1933 to 1937, and then from 1941 to 1943.https://digitalcommons.whitworth.edu/fathers-day-correspondence/1050/thumbnail.jp

Views on the Apple Health Application from Future Health Science Professionals

Introduction: Fitness and wellness applications are now the norm that smartphones come with the applications pre-installed on the device. In 2016 and 2017 wearable fitness technology was rated as the top trend in health and wellness sectors (Bunn et al, 2018). More information is needed to improve the utilization of fitness tracking technology to create a bridge between health professionals having their clients use the applications and the people building the tech. Methods: Healthy students at least 18 years of age at Merrimack College (mostly in the School of Health Sciences) were asked to partake in an online survey. The online survey asked my self-developed questions about who they are (age, full or part time student, gender), as well as questions about your current exercise habits and how they use the Apple Health Application. Results: Eighty-eight percent of respondents were aware of the Apple Health application on the Apple iPhone and 57.8% used the apple health application before. When asked about which features they would utilize in the apple health application the respondents recorded that they would mostly use step count at 64.1% of total respondents. 59.4% of total respondents chose sleep for the next most popular option. The recorded answers for the most helpful for tracking personal fitness goals listed 42.2% Tracking activity, 45.3% Nutrition, 7.8% Tracking Sleep, and 4.7% None. The question “Which is more helpful for tracking your fitness goals of future clients/patients/athletes?” recorded 45.3% Tracking activity, 48.4% track Nutrition, and 4.7% tracking Sleep. Only thirty-three percent tracked their food 3 intake using the Apple Health App or another nutritional application in the past 6 months. Sixty-eight percent never used the app to track food intake. Discussion: More research into creating user friendly nutritional tracking could be beneficial for health application tracking. Specific studies for the views on nutrition tracking should be explored in the future. Research into the use and views on sleep tracking could be beneficial. Finding out why nutrition tracking is so underutilized with these Merrimack College students. Conclusion: Nutrition was ranked as the most important application feature for personal and clientele tracking for health. Nutrition was also the most underused aspect of fitness tracking. Sleep was of the lowest importance for client and personal tracking. Nutrition tracking technology should be advanced more according to the listed importance stated from Future Health Science Professionals

A New Approach to Statutory Interpretation in Washington

In this article, I will first explore Washington\u27s existing law, both statutory and judicial, on statutory interpretation. I will then evaluate the mechanisms for construing statutes derived from common law and legislative sources. Finally, I will recommend a new paradigm for statutory construction so that legislative intent may be more accurately conveyed to the courts, abandoning many of the time-encrusted canons in favor of principles of interpretation adhering more specifically to the legislature\u27s actual statutory language