The Presence of Pemberton Hall (from \u27Ghost Stories of Illinois\u27)

https://thekeep.eiu.edu/pemberton_hall_ghost/1022/thumbnail.jp

Universality classes and crossover behaviors in non-Abelian directed sandpiles

We study universality classes and crossover behaviors in non-Abelian directed sandpile models, in terms of the metastable pattern analysis. The non-Abelian property induces spatially correlated metastable patterns, characterized by the algebraic decay of the grain density along the propagation direction of an avalanche. Crossover scaling behaviors are observed in the grain density due to the interplay between the toppling randomness and the parity of the threshold value. In the presence of such crossovers, we show that the broadness of the grain distribution plays a crucial role in resolving the ambiguity of the universality class. Finally, we claim that the metastable pattern analysis is important as much as the conventional analysis of avalanche dynamics.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, 1 table; published in PRE as the full paper of PRL v101, 218001 (2008

A High Stakes Game of Risk for the Independent Auditor

J. Ralph Byington, PhD, is professor of accounting, School of Accounting, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460-8141. Jo Ann Christensen, DBA, is assistant professor of accounting, School of Professional Accountancy, Louisianna Tech University, Ruston, LA 71272

Trapping of Ultracold Atoms in a Hollow-core Photonic Crystal Fiber

Ultracold sodium atoms have been trapped inside a hollow-core optical fiber. The atoms are transferred from a free space optical dipole trap into a trap formed by a red-detuned gaussian light mode confined to the core of the fiber. We show that at least 5% of the atoms held initially in the free space trap can be loaded into the core of the fiber and retrieved outside.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, corrected author list, added refs, changed figs, changed content, accepted by PR

Application of Intergroup Contact Theory to the Integrated Workplace: Setting the Stage for Inclusion

Social inclusion in community work settings remains an elusive outcome for many employees with intellectual disabilities. This study explored how the structure of work relationships with colleagues facilitates or inhibits social integration. Data were collected on 22 employees with disabilities through semi-structured interviews with six employment specialists and participant observations of six employees at their community worksites. Data were interpreted using intergroup contact theory, a longstanding theory within the intergroup relations literature that addresses the role of contact in reducing prejudice toward members of negatively stereotyped groups. As predicted by intergroup contact theory, interviews and observations revealed that coworkers were generally more accepting of an employee with a disability if (a) they had the opportunity to get to know the employee as an individual rather than as a stereotype or label, (b) they worked with the employee as an equal peer to accomplish common work goals, and (c) the employer or worksite supervisor unequivocally supported the equality and workplace inclusion of the employee with a disability. Findings suggest intervention strategies to promote inclusion in the integrated workplace

Phase Sensitive Recombination of Two Bose-Einstein Condensates on an Atom Chip

The recombination of two split Bose-Einstein condensates on an atom chip is shown to result in heating which depends on the relative phase of the two condensates. This heating reduces the number of condensate atoms between 10 and 40% and provides a robust way to read out the phase of an atom interferometer without the need for ballistic expansion. The heating may be caused by the dissipation of dark solitons created during the merging of the condensates.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Effects of stream restoration on macroinvertebrate communities in an Oregon Coast Range system

Stream-restoration projects are usually designed to improve habitat quality for fishes. These projects manipulate flow patterns, substrate distribution, and amount and placement of large woody debris. Consequently, they also affect the size and composition of the aquatic macroinvertebrate community. This research evaluates two types of fish habitat restoration: off-channel structures (alcoves) and in-channel structures (log weirs). I compared macroinvertebrate habitats and communities in natural and artificial alcoves in Upper and South Fork Lobster Creeks, Lane Co., and examined the effects of log weirs on in-channel habitat diversity, community composition, drift patterns, and fish consumption of macroinvertebrates. Macroinvertebrate samples were collected from artificial and natural alcoves using hand pumps and D-nets. Within the channel, macroinvertebrates were collected from restored and unrestored reaches with a Hess sampler and using a stratified random sampling scheme. Forty-eight hour invertebrate drift samples were obtained at outlets of log-weir pools. Stomach contents were obtained from coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and cutthroat trout (O. clarki) in restored reaches. Although natural alcoves differed from artificial in location within the floodplain, morphology, permanence, and degree of interaction with the stream channel, both alcovetypes provided similar habitats and contained similar macroinvertebrate communities. Average densities and diversity within the alcoves depended on habitat and time of year. Average densities were higher in artificial than in natural. Alcoves contained 29% of species richness within Upper Lobster Creek. Within the stream channel, the diversity of macroinvertebrate habitat was lower in restored than in unrestored sections. Log weirs were associated with reduced taxonomic and functional feeding-group diversity. Composition of drift was not significantly different in restored and unrestored areas; however, drift densities were significantly lower in restored reaches. Diets of fishes in restored areas were composed primarily of organisms produced from outside restored areas. Although in-channel structures may enhance physical habitat for fishes, they may alter or reduce the availability of food for fishes feeding on drifting invertebrates. Recommendations are given for improving the design of stream restoration projects with respect to macroinvertebrates; however stream restoration should focus on restoring whole-system integrity and function, instead of targeting just one or two types of organisms