Digital Commons Network^™

The Probe, Issue 199 – April 1999

The Probe: Newsletter of the National Animal Damage Control Association

American White Pelicans: The latest avian problem for southeastern catfish producers -- D. Tommy King, USDAIAPHISIWS, National Wildlife Research Center, Mississippi Research Station, Mississippi State University, MS 39762
In Memoriam: William D. Fitzwater (1917-1999)
In Memoriam: Jack H. Berryman
Booklet Review: "Managing Canada Geese in Urban Environments: A Technical Guide" by Arthur E. Smith, Scott R. Craven and Paul D. Curtis (1999). Jack Berryman Institute Publication 16, and Cornell University Cooperative Extension, Ithaca, NY. 42 pages. $10.00 (postpaid)
Video Review: "Suburban Goose Management: Searching for Balance." Produced by the Educational Television Center Media and Technology Services, Cornell University. (1998) VHS. …

The Dynamics Of Cyberspace: Examining And Modelling Online Social Structure, Brian S. Butler '89

Doctoral Dissertations

It has been proposed that online social structures represent new forms of organizing which are fundamentally different from traditional social structures. However, while there is a growing body of empirical research that considers behavioral aspects of online activity, research on online social structure structural remains largely anecdotal. This work consists of three papers that combine previous studies of traditional social structures, empirical analysis of longitudinal data from a sample of Internet listservs, and computational modeling to examine the dynamics of social structure development in networked environments.

The first paper (Title: When is a Group not a Group: An Empirical Examination …

Synthesis And Antimalarial Activity Of 11 Dispiro-1,2,4,5-Tetraoxane Analogues Of Wr 148999. 7,8,15,16-Tetraoxadispiro[5.2.5.2]Hexadecanes Substituted At The 1 And 10 Positions With Unsaturated And Polar Functional Groups, Yuxiang Dong, F. Hoffmann-Laroche Ltd., Jacques Chollet, Ronald Kaminsky, James K. Wood, Jonathan L. Vennerstrom

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Eleven novel dispiro-1,2,4,5-tetraoxanes 3 bearing unsaturated and polar functional groups were designed to enhance the oral antimalarial activity of the prototype tetraoxane 2 (WR 148999). With the exception of 3g and 3h, tetraoxanes 3 were available via the peroxidation of corresponding cyclohexanone derivatives in H2SO4/CH3CN. Tetraoxanes 3g and 3h were prepared by hydrolysis of ester tetraoxanes 3e and 3i, respectively. Five of the 11 tetraoxanes were inactive, but six tetraoxanes had IC₅₀ values of 6-26 nM against the K1 and NF54 strains of Plasmodium falciparum compared to corresponding IC₅₀ values of 28 and 39 nM for …

Periodicity And Disorder, Simeon D. Simeonov

Dissertations

We have studied four examples of periodicity and disorder in nature and the phenomena associated with them.

In the first chapter of the dissertation we present an introduction to this work.

In the second chapter, the photonic band structures of two types of zinc blend structures are computed using the plane wave expansion method. Both structures are formed from an array of dielectric spheres in a vacuum background. In a first type zinc blend structure the spheres have the same size but different dielectric constants. In a second type of structure we keep the dielectric contrast of the spheres the …

Characterization And Identification Of A Sludge-Associated Bacterial Isolate, Abiodun O. Adibi, Derrell Mcpherson, Minna Laine

Virginia Journal of Science

During a metal speciation study, an unusually high retention of lead ·was observed when lead solution was percolated through a column packed with sludge compost obtained from Hampton Roads Sanitation department. A bacterium was isolated from the sludge compost and identified as Bacillus sphaericus using electron microscopy, whole cell fatty acid analysis (Midi System) and Biolog GP Microplate. The isolate grows in broth and agar media containing up to 800 µM lead. Lead accumulation study using atomic absorption spectrophotometer indicates that the isolate adsorbs lead. Lead adsorption is pH dependent. The isolate contains a plasmid of approximately 40 -50 kbp …

2d-Pattern Matching Image And Video Compression: Theory, Algorithms, And Experiments, Marc Alzina, Wojciech Szpankowski, Ananth Y. Grama

Department of Computer Science Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

Circulation, Vol. 6, No. 3, Center For Coastal Physical Oceanography, Old Dominion University

CCPO Circulation

Spring 1999 issue of CCPO Circulation featuring article "Studying Earth's Environment from Space"

Effects Of Organic Matter And Iron-Rich Clay On Mobility Of Trace Metals From Flue Dust Contaminated Soil, Scott Ephraim Lewis

OES Theses and Dissertations

The enhanced leaching of trace metals through soil becomes a concern for human health if dissolved trace metals reach groundwater and migrate into a public water system. A serial batch extraction procedure was implemented to determine the effects of Vitagrow © organic matter and Fe-Rich TM clay on the mobility of trace metals (Zn, Pb, and Cd) from a flue dust treated (0, 600, 1200, and 2400 μgig Zn) Appling soil.

The addition of an organic matter (OM) amendment to the Appling soil enhanced Pb mobility and reduced soluble Zn and Cd. In general, average solution concentrations of trace metals …

Production Of Copper-Complexing Ligands In Response To Elevated Concentrations Of Copper In Marine Synechococcus Spp., Arunsri Chatkaeomorakot Brown

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Synechococcus spp. (marine cyanobacteria) are extremely sensitive to copper toxicity and can produce high-affinity ligands of unknown structure which form complexes with free cupric ion. These ligands may contribute to the biological control of the levels of free cupric ions in surface seawater. Synechococcus spp. are known to produce metallothioneins (MT) in response to cadmium and zinc stress. In the present study the hypothesis that marine Synechococcus produce MT in response to copper was tested. Three marine Synechococcus spp. i.e., PCC 7001, PCC 73109, and PCC 7003, were exposed to different concentrations of CUSO 4 for various time periods. Size …

The Cleo-Iii Rich Detector And Beam Test Results, Raymond Mountain, J.C. Wang, Marina Artuso, R. Ayad

Physics - All Scholarship

We are constructing a Ring Imaging Cherenkov detector (RICH) for the CLEO III upgrade for precision charged hadron identification. The RICH uses plane and sawtooth LiF crystals as radiators, MWPCs as photon detectors with TEA as the photo-sensitive material, and low-noise Viking readout electronics. Results of a beam test of the first two out of total 30 sectors are presented.

The Classroom Encounter, Reuben Hersh

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Table Of Contents Volume 10, Number Two, Spring 1999, Risk Editorial Board

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Table of contents for the journal RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (ISSN: 1073-8673)

Environmental Risk And The Traditional Sector Approach: Market Efficiency At The Core Of Environmental Law, John Martin Gillroy

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Professor Gillroy provides an in-depth discussion on the evolution of environmental law and the proposition that market efficiency has been, and still is, at its core.

Final Environmental Impact Statement Related To Reclamation Of The Uranium Mill Tailings At The Atlas Site, Moab, Utah, Division Of Waste Management, Office Of Nuclear Material Safety And Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

This Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) has been prepared by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, to address potential environmental impacts associated with a request by Atlas Corporation to amend its existing NRC License no. SUA-917 to reclaim in place an existing uranium mill tailings pile near Moab, Utah. The proposed reclamation would allow Atlas to (1) reclaim the tailings pile for permanent disposal and long-term custodial care by a government agency in its current location on the Moab site, and (2) prepare the 162-ha (400-acre) Moab site for closure. the FEIS describes and …

The Prospects For Mathematics In A Multi-Media Civilization, Philip J. Davis

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

A New Family Of Irrational Numbers With Curious Properties, Vera W. De Spinadel, José M. Paz University Of Buenos Aires

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

The Probe, Issue 198 – March 1999

The Probe: Newsletter of the National Animal Damage Control Association

NADCA benefits its members
Fifth Annual Wildlife Control Technology Instructional Seminar
Bob Willging Fund Established
Woodstream Drops Victor Traps
Activist Gets 7 Years in Prison
Egret Control Goes Badly
Foxes Threaten Plovers in Maine
Controversy Boils In Arizona Predator Hunt Contests

Abstracts from the 5th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society

The Prospect of Using Oral Vaccination to Control Rabies in Raccoons in the Northeast -- D.H. Lein and L.L. Bigler
Past and Current Methods for Controlling Rabies in Wildlife -- S.B. Linhart and C.L. Brown
Elimination of Fox Rabies from Ontario, Canada -- CD. Maclnnes
A Computer Model for …

Data Integration By Describing Sources With Constraint Databases, Xun Cheng, Guozhu Dong, Tzekwan Lau, Jianwen Su

Kno.e.sis Publications

We develop a data integration approach for the efficient evaluation of queries over autonomous source databases. The approach is based on some novel applications and extensions of constraint database techniques. We assume the existence of a global database schema. The contents of each data source are described using a set of constraint tuples over the global schema; each such tuple indicates possible contributions from the source. The “source description catalog” (SDC) of a global relation consists of its associated constraint tuples. Such a method of description is advantageous since it is flexible to add new sources and to modify existing …

Efficient Mining Of Partial Periodic Patterns In Time Series Database, Jiawei Han, Guozhu Dong, Yiwen Yin

Kno.e.sis Publications

Partial periodicity search, i.e., search for partial periodic patterns in time-series databases, is an interesting data mining problem. Previous studies on periodicity search mainly consider finding full periodic patterns, where every point in time contributes (precisely or approximately) to the periodicity. However, partial periodicity is very common in practice since it is more likely that only some of the time episodes may exhibit periodic patterns.

We present several algorithms for efficient mining of partial periodic patterns, by exploring some interesting properties related to partial periodicity, such as the Apriori property and the max-subpattern hit set property, and by shared mining …

Analysis Of Usaf Battlelabs' Communication Infrastructure Over Various Protocols, Rocky A. Favorito, David M. Mcillece

Theses and Dissertations

As a result of the doctrines exposed in the Air Force's "Global Engagement: A Vision for the 21st Century Air Force," the concept of a "Battlelab" was devised to support and develop the key warfighting capabilities needed in the next century. Although geographically separated, these labs must have the capability to exchange information with each other in a "Virtual Battlelab Environment" (VBE). Although many types of data will be exchanged, only variable-bit-rate (VBR) video and distributed interactive simulation (DIS) traffic are modeled in the VBE. The research described in this thesis utilizes a systems engineering approach to investigate the performance …

Validation Of The Gallagher Protonospheric Model, Kelly M. Law

Theses and Dissertations

Ionospheric models are used in many systems throughout the Department of Defense: for example, they are useful in correcting range errors in radio signals. However, correction models don't incorporate the protonosphere, the torus-shaped plasma volume above the ionosphere. The Gallagher Protonospheric Model, recently incorporated into the Parameterized Ionospheric Model 1.7 (PIM 1.7), was validated against protonospheric total electron content (PTEC) measurements made by the GPS system. Gallagher model calculations of slant PTEC for Pittsburgh ground station looking south with a raypath at an elevation of 26 degrees were compared against GPS PTEC measurements for the same configuration derived from the …

Laser Beam Combining And Cleanup Via Stimulated Brillouin Scattering In Multi-Mode Optical Fibers, Blake C. Rodgers

Theses and Dissertations

The main objective of this thesis was to demonstrate the feasibility of combining and cleaning up multiple laser beams via Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) in a multi-mode optical fiber. Beam combining via SBS in an optical fiber is of interest because of the low SBS threshold power in an optical fiber allowing low power diode laser beams to be combined into one high power beam. SBS theory and some of the important historical results are described briefly. The experimental results clearly indicate that SBS in multi-mode optical fiber can indeed combine laser beams and clean up the beams at the …

Double Layer Effects On Shock Wave Propagation, Shannon L. Walker

Theses and Dissertations

An analysis and assessment of two mechanisms in plasma shock interactions was conducted under conditions typically encountered in a weakly ionized glow discharge. The mechanisms of a spatially-dependent electron temperature and additional electron impact ionization at the shock front were examined for effects on shock structure and propagation. These mechanisms were incorporated into an existing one-dimensional, time-dependent, fluid dynamics code that uses the Riemami problem as a basis and numerically solves the Euler equations for two fluids: the neutral gas and the charged component. The spatial variation in electron temperature was modeled as a shock-centered rise in temperature. Additional ionization …

Strategies For Steganalysis Of Bitmap Graphics Files, Christopher J. Fogle

Theses and Dissertations

Steganography is the art and science of communicating through covert channels. The goal of steganography is to hide the fact that a message is even being transmitted. In the context of today's digital world, this ancient practice is enjoying resurgence due to the plethora of hiding places made possible by modern information media. Of particular concern is the use of graphics image files to conceal both legitimate and criminal communications.

Trade-Off Analysis Of Communications Capabilities Of Inter-Satellite Links, Andrew J. Feltman

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis designs, develops, and uses software Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) to analyze the communications capabilities of Radio Frequency (RF) Inter-Satellite Links (ISLs). The GUIs are geared towards analyzing the proposed ISLs of the Discoverer II program, but are general enough to permit analysis of any free-space RF ISLs. Discoverer II is a demonstration program of low-earth orbiting satellites and is primarily focused on satellite-based sensor technology. This thesis shows RF ISLs can meet the program requirement to broadcast the sensor data back to CONUS in near-real-time. The GUIs operate in real-time and explore trade-offs in the communications capability by …

Computation Of Scattering From Bodies Of Revolution Using An Entire-Domain Basis Implementation Of The Moment Method, Arthur P. Ford Iv

Theses and Dissertations

Research into improved calibration targets for measurement of radar cross-section has created a need for the ability to accurately compute the scattering from perfectly conducting bodies of revolution. Common computational techniques use Moment Method codes that employ subdomain basis functions to expand the unknown current density. This approach has its shortcomings. Large numbers of basis functions are required, and increasing the number of basis functions to improve accuracy after an initial computation requires re-computation of previous results and lost processing time. This research involves using basis functions that have as their domain the entire length of the surface. Entire-domain basis …

High-Grade Paper Recycling: A Program Management Perspective, Rodger L. Carter

Theses and Dissertations

Recycling of high-grade paper is one method of reducing the use of natural resources and the amount of waste being emitted into the environment, both in the process of manufacturing and in the disposal of unneeded documents. The Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) is a significant user of high-grade paper, thus recycling represents a potential saving to society in the form of lessened negative impact on the environment as the result of AFMC operations. The possibility also exists for AFMC to reduce operating costs. The purpose of this study is to explore means of reducing high-grade paper disposal by AFMC, …

Structural Emergence And The Collaborative Behavior Of Autonomous Nano-Satellites, Daniel J. Petrovich

Theses and Dissertations

The collaborative behavior of nano-satellites in a zero-gravity environment is explored, and satellite characteristics are proposed that maximize constellation robustness and minimize manufacturing costs. Behavioral algorithms are proposed to facilitate both swarming and structural formation and are validated using the Structural Emergence Simulator (STEMS) Graphical User Interface (GUl). A payload of multiple satellites is placed in a zero-gravity environment and released to re-configure autonomously into a pre-designed structure. Data transmission between satellites is not permitted during the swarming phase of the structure formation mission. A binary behavior algorithm is invented that produces a direction and magnitude solution to the satellite …

Globalization And The Sustainability Of Human Health: An Ecological Perspective, Robert Costanza, A. J. Mcmichael, Bert Bolin, Gretchen C. Daily, Carl Folke, Kerstin Lindahl-Kiessling, Elisabet Lindgren, Bo Niklasson

Institute for Sustainable Solutions Publications and Presentations

The last half-century has seen momentous and accelerating changes in humankind's economic activities, political relations, and social and demographic profile. A prominent feature of this change is the increasing scale of human impact on Earth's natural biophysical systems: the climate system, stratospheric ozone, biodiversity, terrestrial and marine food-producing ecosystems, and the great cycles of water, nitrogen, and sulfur (Meyer 1996, Vitousek et al. 1997). These systems sustain the conditions on which life depends, and their weakening may therefore have profound long-term implications for human population health (McMichael 1993, Last 1997).

Resource Scheduling In A High-Performance Multimedia Server, Hwee Hwa Pang, Bobby Jose, M. S. Krishnan

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Supporting continuous media data-such as video and audio-imposes stringent demands on the retrieval performance of a multimedia server. In this paper, we propose and evaluate a set of data placement and retrieval algorithms to exploit the full capacity of the disks in a multimedia server. The data placement algorithm declusters every object over all of the disks in the server-using a time-based declustering unit-with the aim of balancing the disk load. As for runtime retrieval, the quintessence of the algorithm is to give each disk advance notification of the blocks that have to be fetched in the impending time periods, …