Quantum Geometry Phenomenology: Angle and Semiclassical States

The phenomenology for the deep spatial geometry of loop quantum gravity is discussed. In the context of a simple model of an atom of space, it is shown how purely combinatorial structures can affect observations. The angle operator is used to develop a model of angular corrections to local, continuum flat-space 3-geometries. The physical effects involve neither breaking of local Lorentz invariance nor Planck scale suppression, but rather reply on only the combinatorics of SU(2) recouping theory. Bhabha scattering is discussed as an example of how the effects might be observationally accessible.Comment: 5 pages, slightly extended version of the contribution to the Loops'11 conference proceeding

Honor-ing Parenthood

As part of the National Collegiate Honors Council’s (2022) collection of essays about the value of honors to its graduates (1967–2019), the author reflects on the personal and professional impacts of the honors experience. As I write this essay, I am a few weeks from turning sixty. The sudden appearance of this moment on my horizon has taken me by surprise, to say the least. I ask myself where all that time went, oscillating between disbelief that I’m neither that younger version of myself that lives on in my imagination nor the version of myself that I’d dreamed I might become. The round number provides an opportunity to hit “pause,” to grapple with how here came from there, to assess where some forks in the road happened, the influences that impacted who I became

Unconscious Parallelism: Constitutional Law in Canada and the United States

As neighbors, Canada and the United States share not only the border but essentially common values and beliefs. As well, the Supreme Court in each country is viewed as the ultimate protector of rights. This paper will outline some of our constitutional differences and use freedom of expression as an example of how we seem to arrive at an arguably satisfactory result by different means. There is a difference of opinion on the application of freedom of expression, yet each country considers it a basic and fundamental right. In part, the variance in approach is directly related to our citizen’s perception of governments. To what extent is the government friend or foe

The withdrawal of pupils from school

Approved Aug 1, 1906 J.L. MeriamSome tables pasted inTypescriptM.A. University of Missouri 1906This subject has, perhaps, received more attention and less careful study than any other educational problem. The numerous compulsory school attendance laws, both in Europe and America, testify to the consideration this question has received from lawmakers as well as educators. It is a well-known fact that a very small percent of the pupils who enter the public schools - to say nothing of those who do not enter - ever complete the elementary course of study, and that a very large percent withdraw so early in the course that they enter the activities of life with scarcely the rudiments of an education. Certainly as long as this is the case, the public school is not fulfilling its mission. Such conditions would be alarming in any country, but in a country like ours, where the people are supposed to rule, the very existence of our free institutions depends upon the intelligence and honesty of our citizens. That the seriousness of the problem is realized is shown by the number of states that have passed compulsory attendance laws. Such laws, however, are based on the assumption that fault is entirely with the parents or the pupils, and that they must be forced to take advantage of opportunities which they do not themselves appreciate. That is an easy way of looking at the problem, and one that is very popular, for it frees the school from all blame and puts it all on the side of the pupil, but this is begging the question. What we wish to find out is, why schools are not appreciated and why pupils have to be compelled to attend. Is it the fault of the pupil or the parent entirely, or is the school responsible?Includes bibliographical reference

Human-Centered Systems Analysis Of Mixed Equipage In Oceanic Air Traffic Control

Technical capabilities for improved communication, surveillance, and navigation (CNS) over the oceans are currently available. However, all aircraft operators will not equip simultaneously because of the high costs required. Consequently, as these CNS systems are integrated into oceanic air transportation architecture, the controller will have to manage the current low frequency surveillance and communication paths in parallel with future enhanced CNS. The cognitive effects of the mixed equipage environment were studied through field studies and experimental analysis

Experimental Analysis of the Integration of Mixed Surveillance Frequency into Oceanic Air Operations

Technical capabilities for improved surveillance over the oceans are currently available through the use of satellites. However, all aircraft operators will not equip simultaneously because of the high costs required. Consequently, as these CNS systems are integrated into oceanic air transportation architecture, the controller will have to manage the current low frequency surveillance in parallel with enhanced surveillance. The cognitive effects of the mixed equipage environment were studied through experimental analysis. The results confirm that there are human performance issues with integrating mixed surveillance capabilities, which may result in safety and efficiency limitations

The use of cattle ear-tags as patagial markers for large birds-a field assessment on adult and nestling Australian White Ibis

To test the effectiveness of patagial marking with cattle ear-tags for Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca), 105 adults and 58 nestlings were fitted with tags on each wing. Resighting frequency of adults, survival of nestlings, breeding behavior and foraging movements were monitored. The resighting frequency of wing-tagged adults was compared with resightings of 160 adults marked with colored leg-bands. Survival rates of wing-tagged nestlings were compared with an equal sample of 58 nestlings fitted with colored leg-bands. Over six months, 96% of tagged adults were resighted and there was no indication of impaired flight, with foraging movements ranging up to 30 km. Wing-tagged adults were more likely (40%) than color-banded adults (28%) to be detected in a one-off survey three months after marking and 65% of tagged birds were observed nesting. Higher mortality was observed among smaller nestlings (\u3c1100 g) compared with larger nestlings marked with wing tags, but not among those marked with leg bands. Inspection of the wings of two adult and two juvenile birds recaptured 6-8 months after marking indicated only minor feather abrasion, although further study is needed to assess long-term impacts. Because patagially-fitted cattle ear-tags are more visible than colored leg bands, can be fitted quickly with minimal trauma, and seem to have few adverse effects, they appear to be an effective technique for individually marking large adult birds

Why We Have Field Stations: Reflections on the Cultivation of Biologists

For a resident of the state of Nebraska, the Cedar Point Biological Station (CPBS), located in scenic limestone bluffs below Kingsley Dam, an earth-filled artificial mountain that impounds a lake 35 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide, is a bargain in American higher education. In three weeks a student can earn four credits of upper-division coursework, get original research experience, and, most importantly—especially in an educational milieu increasingly characterized by electronic content and electronic course management—get his or her hands on some live wild plants and animals in an appropriate ecological context. This encounter with nature is typically the first for our high-performer premed students on academic scholarships, who regularly attend CPBS after their junior year. The life-long impact of such experience includes lost naïveté with respect to living systems, appreciation of the relationship between environment and health, and, for some, a career choice leading to professional science

Nimbus-7 ERB Solar Analysis Tape (ESAT) user's guide

Seven years and five months of Nimbus-7 Earth Radiation Budget (ERB) solar data are available on a single ERB Solar Analysis Tape (ESAT). The period covered is November 16, 1978 through March 31, 1986. The Nimbus-7 satellite performs approximately 14 orbits per day and the ERB solar telescope observes the sun once per orbit as the satellite crosses the southern terminator. The solar data were carefully calibrated and screened. Orbital and daily mean values are given for the total solar irradiance plus other spectral intervals (10 solar channels in all). In addition, selected solar activity indicators are included on the ESAT. The ESAT User's Guide is an update of the previous ESAT User's Guide (NASA TM 86143) and includes more detailed information on the solar data calibration, screening procedures, updated solar data plots, and applications to solar variability. Details of the tape format, including source code to access ESAT, are included