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The Goldstone Solar System Radar (GSSR) facility is the largest fully steerable ground-based radar in the world for nonclassified high-resolution ranging and imaging of planetary and small-body targets. Over the years, the use of the GSSR to detect and characterize near-Earth objects (NEOs) has become critical to keep track of potential Earth-impacting hazardous NEO. This article relates the specific modifications made to the GSSR hardware and procedures in the last few years, as well as the new capabilities derived from those upgrades: reduced complexity in remote operations, increased experimental design versatility, and increased performance on bistatic radar experiments from GSSR to other complexes. In addition, we dedicate a section to provide an update on the current GSSR power capabilities as the new klystrons are installed. The work detailed in this article is intended to reach the broader science community in order to communicate how those modifications and the derived new capabilities can make science experiments more successful.

Despite the large body of literature on ape conservation, much of the data needed for evidence‐based conservation decision‐making is still not readily accessible and standardized, rendering cross‐site comparison difficult. To support knowledge synthesis and to complement the IUCN SSC Ape Populations, Environments and Surveys database, we created the A.P.E.S. Wiki (https://apeswiki.eva.mpg.de), an open‐access platform providing site‐level information on ape conservation status and context. The aim of this Wiki is to provide information and data about geographical ape locations, to curate information on individuals and organizations active in ape research and conservation, and to act as a tool to support collaboration between conservation practitioners, scientists, and other stakeholders. To illustrate the process and benefits of knowledge synthesis, we used the momentum of the update of the conservation action plan for western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) and began with this critically endangered taxon. First, we gathered information on 59 sites in West Africa from scientific publications, reports, and online sources. Information was compiled in a standardized format and can thus be summarized using a web scraping approach. We then asked experts working at those sites to review and complement the information (20 sites have been reviewed to date). We demonstrate the utility of the information available through the Wiki, for example, for studying species distribution. Importantly, as an open‐access platform and based on the well‐known wiki layout, the A.P.E.S. Wiki can contribute to direct and interactive information sharing and promote the efforts invested by the ape research and conservation community. The Section on Great Apes and the Section on Small Apes of the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group will guide and support the expansion of the platform to all small and great ape taxa. Similar collaborative efforts can contribute to extending knowledge synthesis t

Contains fulltext : 215275.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access), Despite recent advances in understanding microbial diversity in skin homeostasis, the relevance of microbial dysbiosis in inflammatory disease is poorly understood. Here we perform a comparative analysis of skin microbial communities coupled to global patterns of cutaneous gene expression in patients with atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. The skin microbiota is analysed by 16S amplicon or whole genome sequencing and the skin transcriptome by microarrays, followed by integration of the data layers. We find that atopic dermatitis and psoriasis can be classified by distinct microbes, which differ from healthy volunteers microbiome composition. Atopic dermatitis is dominated by a single microbe (Staphylococcus aureus), and associated with a disease relevant host transcriptomic signature enriched for skin barrier function, tryptophan metabolism and immune activation. In contrast, psoriasis is characterized by co-occurring communities of microbes with weak associations with disease related gene expression. Our work provides a basis for biomarker discovery and targeted therapies in skin dysbiosis.

Cranial growth and development is a complex process which affects the closely related traits of head circumference (HC) and intracranial volume (ICV). The underlying genetic influences shaping these traits during the transition from childhood to adulthood are little understood, but might include both age-specific genetic factors and low-frequency genetic variation. Here, we model the developmental genetic architecture of HC, showing this is genetically stable and correlated with genetic determinants of ICV. Investigating up to 46,000 children and adults of European descent, we identify association with final HC and/or final ICV + HC at 9 novel common and low-frequency loci, illustrating that genetic variation from a wide allele frequency spectrum contributes to cranial growth. The largest effects are reported for lowfrequency variants within TP53, with 0.5 cm wider heads in increaser-allele carriers versus non-carrie

Cranial growth and development is a complex process which affects the closely related traits of head circumference (HC) and intracranial volume (ICV). The underlying genetic influences shaping these traits during the transition from childhood to adulthood are little understood, but might include both age-specific genetic factors and low-frequency genetic variation. Here, we model the developmental genetic architecture of HC, showing this is genetically stable and correlated with genetic determinants of ICV. Investigating up to 46,000 children and adults of European descent, we identify association with final HC and/or final ICV + HC at 9 novel common and low-frequency loci, illustrating that genetic variation from a wide allele frequency spectrum contributes to cranial growth. The largest effects are reported for low-frequency variants within TP53, with 0.5 cm wider heads in increaser-allele carriers versus non-carriers during mid-childhood, suggesting a previously unrecognized role of TP53 transcripts in human cranial development.

Contains fulltext : 215275.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access), Despite recent advances in understanding microbial diversity in skin homeostasis, the relevance of microbial dysbiosis in inflammatory disease is poorly understood. Here we perform a comparative analysis of skin microbial communities coupled to global patterns of cutaneous gene expression in patients with atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. The skin microbiota is analysed by 16S amplicon or whole genome sequencing and the skin transcriptome by microarrays, followed by integration of the data layers. We find that atopic dermatitis and psoriasis can be classified by distinct microbes, which differ from healthy volunteers microbiome composition. Atopic dermatitis is dominated by a single microbe (Staphylococcus aureus), and associated with a disease relevant host transcriptomic signature enriched for skin barrier function, tryptophan metabolism and immune activation. In contrast, psoriasis is characterized by co-occurring communities of microbes with weak associations with disease related gene expression. Our work provides a basis for biomarker discovery and targeted therapies in skin dysbiosis.

Contains fulltext : 215275.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access), Despite recent advances in understanding microbial diversity in skin homeostasis, the relevance of microbial dysbiosis in inflammatory disease is poorly understood. Here we perform a comparative analysis of skin microbial communities coupled to global patterns of cutaneous gene expression in patients with atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. The skin microbiota is analysed by 16S amplicon or whole genome sequencing and the skin transcriptome by microarrays, followed by integration of the data layers. We find that atopic dermatitis and psoriasis can be classified by distinct microbes, which differ from healthy volunteers microbiome composition. Atopic dermatitis is dominated by a single microbe (Staphylococcus aureus), and associated with a disease relevant host transcriptomic signature enriched for skin barrier function, tryptophan metabolism and immune activation. In contrast, psoriasis is characterized by co-occurring communities of microbes with weak associations with disease related gene expression. Our work provides a basis for biomarker discovery and targeted therapies in skin dysbiosis.

Imputing genotypes from reference panels created by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) provides a cost-effective strategy for augmenting the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) content of genome-wide arrays. The UK10K Cohorts project has generated a data set of 3,781 whole genomes sequenced at low depth (average 7x), aiming to exhaustively characterize genetic variation down to 0.1% minor allele frequency in the British population. Here we demonstrate the value of this

Malathion (O,O-dimethyl-S-1,2-bis ethoxy carbonyl ethyl phosphorodithionate) is a non-systemic, wide-spectrum pesticide. It is widely used throughout the world for agricultural, residential, and public health purposes, mainly to enhance food production and to provide protection from disease vectors. Malathion preference over other organophosphate pesticides relates to its low persistence in the environment as it is highly susceptible to hydrolysis, photolysis, and biodegradation. However, numerous malathion poisoning incidents including acute and chronic cases have been reported among pesticide workers and small children through accidental exposure. Malathion toxicity is compounded by its reactive metabolites and also depends upon the product purity, route of exposure, nutritional status, and gender of exposed individuals. Its metabolic oxidation in mammals, insects, and plants leads to the formation of malaoxon which appears to be several times more acutely toxic and represents the primary cause of malathion’s toxicity. Depending on the level of exposure, several signs and symptoms of toxicity including numbness, tingling sensation, headache, dizziness, difficulty breathing, weakness, irritation of skin, exacerbation of asthma, abdominal cramps, and death have been reported. Similar to other organophosphate pesticides, malathion exerts it toxic action by binding to acetylcholinesterase enzyme and inhibiting its activity, leading to accumulation of acetylcholine in synaptic junctions, which in turn results in overstimulation of cholinergic, muscarinic, and nicotinic receptors, and subsequent induction of adverse biologic effects. This chapter provides an update and analysis of the production and use, environmental occurrence, molecular mechanisms of toxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity, and adverse human health effects associated with malathion exposure.

The contribution of rare and low-frequency variants to human traits is largely unexplored. Here we describe insights from sequencing whole genomes (low read depth, 7×) or exomes (high read depth, 80×) of nearly 10,000 individuals from population-based and disease collections. In extensively phenotyped cohorts we characterize over 24 million novel sequence variants, generate a highly accurate imputation reference panel and identify novel alleles associated with levels of triglycerides (APOB), adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLR and RGAG1) from single-marker and rare variant aggregation tests. We describe population structure and functional annotation of rare and low-frequency variants, use the data to estimate the benefits of sequencing for association studies, and summarize lessons from disease-specific collections. Finally, we make available an extensive resource, including individual-level genetic and phenotypic data and web-based tools to facilitate the exploration of association results.

Malathion (O,O-dimethyl-S-1,2-bis ethoxy carbonyl ethyl phosphorodithionate) is a non-systemic, wide-spectrum pesticide. It is widely used throughout the world for agricultural, residential, and public health purposes, mainly to enhance food production and to provide protection from disease vectors. Malathion preference over other organophosphate pesticides relates to its low persistence in the environment as it is highly susceptible to hydrolysis, photolysis, and biodegradation. However, numerous malathion poisoning incidents including acute and chronic cases have been reported among pesticide workers and small children through accidental exposure. Malathion toxicity is compounded by its reactive metabolites and also depends upon the product purity, route of exposure, nutritional status, and gender of exposed individuals. Its metabolic oxidation in mammals, insects, and plants leads to the formation of malaoxon which appears to be several times more acutely toxic and represents the primary cause of malathion’s toxicity. Depending on the level of exposure, several signs and symptoms of toxicity including numbness, tingling sensation, headache, dizziness, difficulty breathing, weakness, irritation of skin, exacerbation of asthma, abdominal cramps, and death have been reported. Similar to other organophosphate pesticides, malathion exerts it toxic action by binding to acetylcholinesterase enzyme and inhibiting its activity, leading to accumulation of acetylcholine in synaptic junctions, which in turn results in overstimulation of cholinergic, muscarinic, and nicotinic receptors, and subsequent induction of adverse biologic effects. This chapter provides an update and analysis of the production and use, environmental occurrence, molecular mechanisms of toxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity, and adverse human health effects associated with malathion exposure.

In the context of gravitational collapse and black hole formation, we reconsider the problem to describe analytically the critical collapse of a massless and minimally coupled scalar field in $2+1$ gravity., Comment: 6 pages; Invited talk at ICHEP2014, Valencia July 2014, Parallel Session `Formal Theory Developments'

In the context of gravitational collapse and black hole formation, we reconsider the problem to describe analytically the critical collapse of a massless and minimally coupled scalar field in $2+1$ gravity., Comment: 6 pages; Invited talk at ICHEP2014, Valencia July 2014, Parallel Session `Formal Theory Developments'

Angiosperms, http://name.umdl.umich.edu/IC-HERB00IC-X-1533524%5DMICH-V-1533524, https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/api/thumb/herb00ic/1533524/MICH-V-1533524/!250,250, The University of Michigan Library provides access to these materials for educational and research purposes. Some materials may be protected by copyright. If you decide to use any of these materials, you are responsible for making your own legal assessment and securing any necessary permission. If you have questions about the collection, please contact the Herbarium professional staff: herb-dlps-help@umich.edu. If you have concerns about the inclusion of an item in this collection, please contact Library Information Technology: libraryit-info@umich.edu., https://www.lib.umich.edu/about-us/policies/copyright-policy

Angiosperms, http://name.umdl.umich.edu/IC-HERB00IC-X-1533524%5DMICH-V-1533524, https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/api/thumb/herb00ic/1533524/MICH-V-1533524/!250,250, The University of Michigan Library provides access to these materials for educational and research purposes. Some materials may be protected by copyright. If you decide to use any of these materials, you are responsible for making your own legal assessment and securing any necessary permission. If you have questions about the collection, please contact the Herbarium professional staff: herb-dlps-help@umich.edu. If you have concerns about the inclusion of an item in this collection, please contact Library Information Technology: libraryit-info@umich.edu., https://www.lib.umich.edu/about-us/policies/copyright-policy

The total amount of deformation between two converging bodies is described by the three components of the displacement fi eld: translation, rotation, and strain. Translations along faults and folding strain are the most common elements of the displacement field incorporated into estimates of tectonic shortening across orogenic systems. Determinations of vertical-axis rotations through paleomagnetic and structural analyses are keys for deciphering the rotational component of shortening within an orogenic system, and they can have a substantial effect on the amount of tectonic shortening in such systems. Accommodation structures observed in orogenic systems are typically noncoaxial and/or noncylindrical geometries (e.g., oblique and lateral ramps, superposed folding). These structures suggest that vertical-axis rotations have taken place, can aid in determining the relative timing of rotation with respect to translation, and may help constrain the location of the rotation axis. In this paper, we defi ne the components of the total displacement fi eld, describe the diagnostic and suggestive features associated with vertical-axis rotations, and apply trigonometric map-view calculations to estimate the amount of shortening contributed by such rotations. An error function relating shortening with vertical-axis rotation has been calculated and predicts values up to 50% for a 60° rotation if the rotation is not taken into account. Finally, we apply our approach to the Wyoming salient and show that previous estimates of shortening there may contain up to 14% error

The total amount of deformation between two converging bodies is described by the three components of the displacement fi eld: translation, rotation, and strain. Translations along faults and folding strain are the most common elements of the displacement field incorporated into estimates of tectonic shortening across orogenic systems. Determinations of vertical-axis rotations through paleomagnetic and structural analyses are keys for deciphering the rotational component of shortening within an orogenic system, and they can have a substantial effect on the amount of tectonic shortening in such systems. Accommodation structures observed in orogenic systems are typically noncoaxial and/or noncylindrical geometries (e.g., oblique and lateral ramps, superposed folding). These structures suggest that vertical-axis rotations have taken place, can aid in determining the relative timing of rotation with respect to translation, and may help constrain the location of the rotation axis. In this paper, we defi ne the components of the total displacement fi eld, describe the diagnostic and suggestive features associated with vertical-axis rotations, and apply trigonometric map-view calculations to estimate the amount of shortening contributed by such rotations. An error function relating shortening with vertical-axis rotation has been calculated and predicts values up to 50% for a 60° rotation if the rotation is not taken into account. Finally, we apply our approach to the Wyoming salient and show that previous estimates of shortening there may contain up to 14% error

The rapid development of space geodesy over the last two decades has had a profound effect on geologic studies by allowing measurements of crustal motion with sub-millimeter per year precision. The focus of this work is to better understand microplate kinematics, intraplate deformation and sea level rise in Europe by use of Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements of crustal deformation. This is accomplished in three separate studies. The first study focuses on crustal motion and sea level rise along the eastern margin of Adria. We use data from tide gauge and continuous GPS (CGPS) stations. We develop a new method to separate common-mode relative sea level from spatially variable signals. From tide gauge data, we find uniform relative sea level rise along the coast that is 2-4 times lower than the estimates for global average sea level rise. In constrast, vertical motion of coastal rocks determined by CGPS varies appreciably from an average of -1.7 ± 0.4 mm/yr in the southern Adria to 0.0 ± 0.4 mm/yr in northern Adria. The most enigmnatical result of this study is that the combination of tide gauge and CGPS data shows that absolute sea level varies in such a way that relative sea level remains constant. The second study focuses on diffuse intraplate deformation of western Eurasia measured by CGPS. We find that our preferred model involves four subplates, separated by the Pyrenees, Rhine Graben, and Trans European Suture Zone, and yields residual velocities indistinguishable from random samples. We interpret the intraplate dormation as the surface manifestation of downwelling mantle lithosphere. The final component of this work is a study of the Northern and Southern Adria microplates' internal stability and tectonic motion. Results show that both Adria microplates are kinematically distinct from one another and from the slowly converging Eurasia and Nubia plates, with implications for the dynamics of the Nubia-Eurasia plate boundary zone. We also find that inte

The Pampean flat slab subduction in west-central Argentina (latitude 30-33S) and the steeply dipping Northern Costa Rica subduction zone (latitude 9-11N) show significant along-trench variations in both the subducting and overriding plates. This dissertation contains the results of three seismological studies using broadband instruments conducted in these subduction zones, with the aim of understanding the structure of the lithosphere and the correlation between the variability observed in the downgoing and the overriding plates. In the Costa Rica region, by analyzing teleseismic receiver functions we investigate the variability in the hydration state of the subducting Cocos Plate and the nature of three distinct crustal terranes within the overriding Caribbean Plate: the Nicoya and Chorotega terranes that display an oceanic character, and the Mesquito Terrane, which is more compatible with continental crust.In the Pampean region of Argentina, we apply a regional-scale double-difference tomography algorithm to earthquake data recorded by the SIEMBRA (2007-2009) and ESP (2008-2010) broadband seismic networks to obtain high-resolution images of the South America lithosphere. We find that most of the upper mantle has seismic properties consistent with a depleted lherzolite or harzburgite, with two anomalous regions above the flat slab: a higher Vp/Vs ratio anomaly consistent with up to 10% hydration of mantle peridotite and a localized lower Vp/Vs ratio anomaly consistent with orthopyroxene enrichment. In addition, we study the geometry and brittle deformation of the subducting Nazca Plate by determining high-quality earthquake locations, slab contours, and focal mechanisms. Our results suggest that the subduction of the incoming Juan Fernandez Ridge controls the slab geometry and that ridge buoyancy and slab pull are key factors in the deformation of the slab. The spatial distribution of the slab seismicity suggests variability in the hydration state of the subducting

This dissertation contains two studies that investigate the Mesozoic and Cenozoic tectonics of the western USA. The first study investigates shortening in the Sevier thrust belt of northeast Utah and southwest Wyoming. Cross section restoration suggests that there was ∼8-14 km of pre-Absaroka-thrust shortening above the Jurassic Preuss salt detachment (PSD), but not below it, in the hanging wall of the Absaroka thrust. Reflection seismic data show that the Crawford thrust is not offset along the PSD, indicating that the additional shortening on the Absaroka plate was transferred east before main movement on the Crawford thrust. Integration of surface and subsurface geology suggests slip from the Willard or Lost Creek thrust was transferred several tens of kilometers east along the PSD between ∼102-90 Ma.The second study investigates the low-temperature thermochronology of the Laramide Ranges. We dated 91 borehole and surface samples from basement-cored uplifts of the Rocky Mountain foreland (Wind River, Beartooth, Bighorn and Laramie Ranges), and the Uncompahgre Uplift, using the apatite (U-Th)/He system. (U-Th)/He ages generally increase with increasing elevation. Most samples show age dispersion of tens to hundreds of Myr. Several samples show correlations between (U-Th)/He age and effective U concentration (eU = [U] + 0.235[Th]), indicating that radiation damage has affected (U-Th)/He age. Many surface and near-surface samples have (U-Th)/He ages that are older than apatite fission-track ages.Forward and inverse modeling using a radiation damage diffusion model showed that (U-Th)/He ages may be widely dispersed, and may be older than apatite fission-track ages within a fossil partial retention zone. Most samples, however, do not exhibit the predicted (U-Th)/He age-eU correlation. We show that the effects of grain size can obscure (U-Th)/He age-eU correlations. Best-fit thermal histories from the inversion of age-eU pairs were extrapolated to other elevations to c

This dissertation examines several questions in Martian surface processes relating to water or ice using a combination of geomorphology and modeling. I first examine sublimation of ice from new small mid-latitude craters with freshly exposed ice imaged by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera. I discuss the theory of sublimation by free convection and describe a model that improves on the standard version used in the Mars literature. This model shows some differences from experimental data, but this appears to be because experimental conditions do not accurately capture the sublimation regime appropriate to the Martian surface. I use this sublimation model in concert with a thermal model and calculate sublimation rates at the sites of freshly exposed ice. Calculated sublimated thicknesses of one or more millimeters during the period when HiRISE images show ice imply that this ice is relatively pure, not pore-filling. The ice table thus revealed appears consistent with a model of the Martian subsurface in which relatively clean ice overlies pore-filling ice.Pingos are hills with cores of ice formed by freezing of liquid water under pressure. Possible pingos on Mars have been much discussed because they would have significant implications for Martian hydrological processes. I surveyed HiRISE images across a broad portion of the Martian surface searching for fractured mounds. Such features are candidate pingos, since pingos often develop surface fractures as they grow. A small number of Martian landforms, not previously identified, are morphologically consistent with pingos; however, landforms that appear related to these do show morphological differences from pingos. Other origins are possible, particularly since it is difficult to produce the requisite hydrologic conditions for pingo formation. Previously proposed pingos on Mars lack surface fracturing and are unlikely to be pingos.

We construct black hole solutions to three-dimensional Einstein-Maxwell theory with both gravitational and electromagnetic Chern-Simons terms. These intrinsically rotating solutions are geodesically complete, and causally regular within a certain parameter range. Their mass, angular momentum and entropy are found to satisfy the first law of black hole thermodynamics. These Chern-Simons black holes admit a four-parameter local isometry algebra, which generically is $sl(2,R)\times R$, and may be generated from the corresponding vacua by local coordinate transformations., Comment: 21 pages

We construct black hole solutions to three-dimensional Einstein-Maxwell theory with both gravitational and electromagnetic Chern-Simons terms. These intrinsically rotating solutions are geodesically complete, and causally regular within a certain parameter range. Their mass, angular momentum and entropy are found to satisfy the first law of black hole thermodynamics. These Chern-Simons black holes admit a four-parameter local isometry algebra, which generically is $sl(2,R)\times R$, and may be generated from the corresponding vacua by local coordinate transformations., Comment: 21 pages

Atmospheric interactions affected both the mechanics of impact ejecta deposition and the environmental effects from the catastrophic Chicxulub impact at the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary. Hypervelocity reentry and subsequent sedimentation of Chicxulub impact spherules through the Earth's atmosphere was modeled using the KFIX-LPL two-phase flow code, which includes thermal radiation and operates at the necessary range of flow regimes and velocities. Spherules were injected into a model mesh approximating a two-dimensional slice of atmosphere at rates based on ballistic models of impact plume expansion. The spherules decelerate due to drag, compressing the upper atmosphere and reaching terminal velocity at ~70 km in altitude. A band of spherules accumulates at this altitude, below which is compressed cool air and above which is hot (>3000 K) relatively-empty atmosphere.Eventually the spherule-laden air becomes unstable and density currents form, transporting the spherules through the lower atmosphere collectively as plumes rather than individually at terminal velocity. This has implications for the depositional style and sedimentation rate of the global K-Pg boundary layer. Vertical density current formation in both incompressible (water) and compressible (air) fluids is evaluated numerically via KFIX-LPL simulations and analytically using new instability criteria. Models of density current formation due to particulate loading of water are compared to tephra fall experiments in order to validate the model instabilities.The impact spherules themselves obtain peak temperatures of 1300-1600 K and efficiently radiate that heat as thermal radiation. However, the downward thermal radiation emitted from decelerating spherules is increasingly blocked by previously-entered spherules settling lower in the atmosphere. This self-shielding effect strengthens with time as the settling spherule cloud thickens and becomes increasingly opaque, limiting both the magnitude and du

We compute exactly the semi-classical radiation spectrum for a class of non-asymptotically flat charged dilaton black holes, the so-called linear dilaton black holes. In the high frequency regime, the temperature for these black holes generically agrees with the surface gravity result. In the special case where the black hole is massless, we show that, although the surface gravity remains finite, there is no radiation, in agreement with the fact that massless objects cannot radiate., Comment: 9 pages

This report updates the 1982 Thermosonde technical report, by documenting the current configuration. The wires in the thermosonde are arranged as two legs of a Wheatstone bridge, which generates a voltage proportional to the resistance difference. The telemetry signal now consists of digital signal counts, rather than analog frequency changes, the multiple segment calibration relationship has been replace by a single straight line, and a new, lower signal calibration input point has been added to the calibration source. Synchronous detection of the telemetry signal has allowed the overall gain to be increased to approximately 600,000. Calibration voltages are read within 1mV for a range of voltages from the minimum, which is the noise floor of about 10 mV (equivalent to about 0.0005K up to a maximum output of 2.0 V. For a modest CT2 value o of 0.0002K2M-213, the uncertainty in Cn2 is down to 1.5 percent. For a stronger CT2 of 0.001 , overall Cn2 uncertainty is below 0.5% at low altitudes and starts to noticeably increase al20 km, reaching a 4% uncertainty at 30 km due to pressure uncertainties., Prepared in collaboration with Stewart Radiance Laboratory, Utah State University Research Foundation, Bedford, MA.

We compute exactly the semi-classical radiation spectrum for a class of non-asymptotically flat charged dilaton black holes, the so-called linear dilaton black holes. In the high frequency regime, the temperature for these black holes generically agrees with the surface gravity result. In the special case where the black hole is massless, we show that, although the surface gravity remains finite, there is no radiation, in agreement with the fact that massless objects cannot radiate., Comment: 9 pages

The earliest diversification of tetrapods is dated as Late Devonian based on 10 localities worldwide that have yielded bone remains. At least 18 different species are known from these localities. Their ages span the 'middle' - late Frasnian to latest Famennian time interval, with three localities in the Frasnian, one at the F/F transition (though this one is not securely dated) and six in the Famennian. These localities encompass a wide variety of environments, from true marine conditions of the nearshore neritic province, to fluvial or lacustrine conditions. However, it does not seem possible to characterize a freshwater assemblage in the Upper Old Red Sandstone based upon vertebrates. Most of the tetrapod-bearing localities (8 of 10) were situated in the eastern part of Laurussia (=Euramerica), one in North China and one in eastern Gondwana (Australia), on a pre-Pangean configuration of the Earth, when most oceanic domains, except Palaeotethys and Panthalassa, had closed.

This dissertation explores the uses for data collected at broadband seismic stations to investigate source process of large strike-slip earthquakes and crust and upper mantle structure within active continental tectonic settings. First, we analyzed rupture mechanism of the 2002 Denali earthquake (M = 7.9) and the 2001 Kunlun earthquake (M = 7.8) using teleseismic P waveforms. According to our results, the Denali earthquake began with initial thrusting and later ruptured a 300-km-long segment with a right-lateral strike-slip mechanism. In contrast, the Kunlun earthquake nucleated along an extensional step-over with a complex mechanism and later ruptured a 350-km-long segment with a left-lateral mechanism. Both earthquakes have source properties similar to interplate earthquakes and display strong directivity and slip heterogeneity suggesting that the middle fault segments are weaker.Next, we applied receiver function techniques to image the crust and upper mantle beneath active tectonic regions. In central Tibet, we found strong seismic anisotropy that changes with depth. Especially, mid-crustal anisotropy is consistent with a near-horizontal rock fabric induced by crustal flow. Near the San Andreas Fault in Parkfield, crust is relatively thin (26 km) and characterized by high Vp/Vs (1.88). At the base of the crust, receiver functions indicate strong anisotropy in a low velocity, high Vp/Vs, serpentinite layer that is most likely a fossilized fabric of Farallon plate subduction. Beneath the East Anatolian Plateau, our analysis reveals a thin crust (<45 >km) consistent with the high plateau supported by hot partially molten asthenosphere near the crust. Vp/Vs values are low at the Bitlis suture and high within the plateau due to partial melting. Seismic imaging of 410 and 660 km discontinuities also reveals anticorrelated topography and distinct zones of diminished amplitude associated with detached slabs and delaminated fragments of lithospheric mantle. In the south

Recently it was found that the complete integration of the Einstein-dilaton-antisymmetric form equations depending on one variable and describing static singly charged $p$-branes leads to two and only two classes of solutions: the standard asymptotically flat black $p$-brane and the asymptotically non-flat $p$-brane approaching the linear dilaton background at spatial infinity. Here we analyze this issue in more details and generalize the corresponding uniqueness argument to the case of partially delocalized branes. We also consider the special case of codimension one and find, in addition to the standard domain wall, the black wall solution. Explicit relations between our solutions and some recently found $p$-brane solutions ``with extra parameters'' are presented., Comment: 29 pages, 2 figures

We show that the Letelier-Gal'tsov (LG) metric describing multiple crossed strings in relative motion does solve the Einstein equations, in spite of the discontinuity uncovered recently by Krasnikov [gr-qc/0502090] provided the strings are straight and moving with constant velocities., Comment: 3 pages

Contrary to a recent claim by Anderson ["The Mathematical Theory of Cosmic Strings", I.O.P. Publishing, Bristol 2003], we show that the Letelier-Gal'tsov metric does represent a system of crossed straight infinite cosmic strings moving with arbitrary constant velocities., Comment: 3 pages

Recently it was found that the complete integration of the Einstein-dilaton-antisymmetric form equations depending on one variable and describing static singly charged $p$-branes leads to two and only two classes of solutions: the standard asymptotically flat black $p$-brane and the asymptotically non-flat $p$-brane approaching the linear dilaton background at spatial infinity. Here we analyze this issue in more details and generalize the corresponding uniqueness argument to the case of partially delocalized branes. We also consider the special case of codimension one and find, in addition to the standard domain wall, the black wall solution. Explicit relations between our solutions and some recently found $p$-brane solutions ``with extra parameters'' are presented., Comment: 29 pages, 2 figures

We show that the Letelier-Gal'tsov (LG) metric describing multiple crossed strings in relative motion does solve the Einstein equations, in spite of the discontinuity uncovered recently by Krasnikov [gr-qc/0502090] provided the strings are straight and moving with constant velocities., Comment: 3 pages

Contrary to a recent claim by Anderson ["The Mathematical Theory of Cosmic Strings", I.O.P. Publishing, Bristol 2003], we show that the Letelier-Gal'tsov metric does represent a system of crossed straight infinite cosmic strings moving with arbitrary constant velocities., Comment: 3 pages

Impact-induced seismic vibrations have long been suspected of being an important surface modification process on small satellites and asteroids. In this study, I use a series of linked seismic and geomorphic models to investigate the process in detail. I begin by developing a basic theory for the propagation of seismic energy in a highly fractured asteroid, and I use this theory to model the global vibrations experienced on the surface of an asteroid following an impact. These synthetic seismograms are then applied to a model of regolith resting on a slope, and the resulting downslope motion is computed for a full range of impactor sizes. Next, this computed downslope regolith flow is used in a morphological model of impact crater degradation and erasure, showing how topographic erosion accumulates as a function of time and the number of impacts. Finally, these results are applied in a stochastic cratering model for the surface of an Eros-like body (same volume and surface area as the asteroid), with craters formed by impacts and then erased by the effects of superposing craters, ejecta coverage, and seismic shakedown. This simulation shows good agreement with the observed 433 Eros cratering record at a Main Belt exposure age of $400 \pm 200$ Myr, including the observed paucity of small craters. The lowered equilibrium numbers (loss rate = production rate) for craters less than $\sim 100$ m in diameter is a direct result of seismic erasure, which requires less than a meter of mobilized regolith to reproduce the NEAR observations.This study also points to an upper limit on asteroid size for experiencing global, surface-modifying, seismic effects from individual impacts of about 70-100 km (depending upon asteroid seismic properties). Larger asteroids will experience only local seismic effects from individual impacts.In addition to the study of global seismic effects on asteroids, a chapter is also included which details the impact ejecta plume modeling I have done for

My dissertation details the work I have done related to remote sensing of thermal activityon Io and thermal remote sensing used in the search for oases on Mars. At Io, I studiedtwo volcanoes, Tvashtar and Prometheus and their thermal activity. At Mars, I investigatedsuggestions of a possible oasis in one of the youngest volcanic regions, Cerberus Fossaeand nearby areas of SE Elysium.Tvashtar was the site of the first high-spatial-resolution observation of an extraterrestriallava curtain. The Tvashtar complex was also the site of a large, confined eruption a fewmonths after the fissure eruption. I discuss the work involved in estimating the brightnesstemperatures and power output of both eruptions as seen by the Galileo SSI. I also discusscooling and eruption-style models and their application to Tvashtar. In every geometricallycorrect observation of Prometheus, we have seen a 100 km tall SO2 gas and dust plumeabove its flow field. This plume and field migrated ~80 km between the Voyager and Galileo eras. I describe the work I performed in modeling the plume's creation as lava-volatileinteractions at the flow fronts.My Mars research entailed the search for thermal systems and constraints on nearsurfacewater ice in an equatorial region that contains some of the youngest lava flows onMars. This region, SE Elysium, also shows evidence of contemporaneous water and lava. Life as we know it requires a source of energy and liquid water, so a geologically youngregion containing both water and energy is an obvious place to study. I show, however, thatthe recent suggestions of extant near-surface water ice and possible endogenic energy escapeare not necessary, and that the thermal imaging of the region requires rock rather thanwater ice near the surface. I also show that the current instruments at Mars are insufficientfor the remote discovery of thermal reservoirs and then discuss some possible remedies.

Over the past two decades, several competing dynamic models have emerged to explain the tectonic evolution of the Himalayan thrust belt. Basic aspects of the geology of the range remain relatively poorly known, however, limiting the accuracy of dynamic and kinematic models. For example, the location of a mega-thrust now exposed in the interior of the range, the Main Central thrust (MCT), is only approximately known across much of the Himalaya. Both because the MCT accommodated at least 150 kilometers of slip during the mid-late Tertiary and because it carries in its hanging wall the highest-grade metamorphic rocks exposed in the range, the MCT is a prominent feature in all models that seek to explain the tectonic evolution of the Himalaya. Whole-rock Nd isotopes and detrital zircon U-Pb ages allow the discrimination of hanging wall and footwall rocks of the MCT. Application of these techniques in the Annapurna Range of central Nepal unambiguously locates the MCT. Microstructural analyses confirm the presence of a thrust-sense ductile shear zone superimposed on this isotopic boundary.With improved locations of the MCT and other faults, it is now possible to understand thermobarometric and kinematic data in more correct structural context. Thermobarometric estimates demonstrate that rocks exposed in fault-bounded blocks in the Modi Khola transect experienced approximately constant peak conditions, and that peak conditions change dramatically across large faults. Pressure-temperature estimates combined with constraints on the extent of metasomatism indicate the presence of a large normal fault one kilometer structurally above the MCT. Preliminary Th-Pb dating of monazite suggests that this normal fault may have been active during slip on the MCT. The presence of such a proximal normal fault slipping synchronously with the MCT challenges some current representations of dynamic models for the evolution of the thrust belt. In situ Th-Pb ages of monazite inclusions in garn

Static black holes of dilaton-axion gravity become singular in the extreme limit, which prevents a direct determination of their near-horizon geometry. This is addressed by first taking the near-horizon limit of extreme rotating NUT-less black holes, and then going to the static limit. The resulting four-dimensional geometry may be lifted to a Bertotti-Robinson-like solution of six-dimensional vacuum gravity, which also gives the near-horizon geometry of extreme Kaluza-Klein black holes in five dimensions., Comment: 2 pages, "mprocl.sty" with Latex 2.09, contribution to the 9th Marcel Grossmann meeting (MG9), Rome, July 2000

Static black holes of dilaton-axion gravity become singular in the extreme limit, which prevents a direct determination of their near-horizon geometry. This is addressed by first taking the near-horizon limit of extreme rotating NUT-less black holes, and then going to the static limit. The resulting four-dimensional geometry may be lifted to a Bertotti-Robinson-like solution of six-dimensional vacuum gravity, which also gives the near-horizon geometry of extreme Kaluza-Klein black holes in five dimensions., Comment: 2 pages, "mprocl.sty" with Latex 2.09, contribution to the 9th Marcel Grossmann meeting (MG9), Rome, July 2000

We investigate the family of electrostatic spherically symmetric solutions of the five-dimensional Kaluza-Klein theory. Besides black holes and wormholes, a new class of geodesically complete solutions is identified. A monopole perturbation is carried out, enabling us to prove analytically the stability of a large class of solutions, including all black holes and neutral solutions., Comment: 2 pages, "mprocl.sty" with LATEX 2.09, contribution to the 9th Marcel Grossmann meeting (MG9), Rome, July 2000

We investigate the family of electrostatic spherically symmetric solutions of the five-dimensional Kaluza-Klein theory. Besides black holes and wormholes, a new class of geodesically complete solutions is identified. A monopole perturbation is carried out, enabling us to prove analytically the stability of a large class of solutions, including all black holes and neutral solutions., Comment: 2 pages, "mprocl.sty" with LATEX 2.09, contribution to the 9th Marcel Grossmann meeting (MG9), Rome, July 2000

We investigate the family of electrostatic spherically symmetric solutions of the five-dimensional Kaluza-Klein theory. Both charged and neutral cases are considered. The analysis of the solutions, through their geometrical properties, reveals the existence of black holes, wormholes and naked singularities. A new class of regular solutions is identified. A monopole perturbation study of all these solutions is carried out, enabling us to prove analytically the stability of large classes of solutions. In particular, the black hole solutions are stable, while for the regular solutions the stability analysis leads to an eigenvalue problem., Comment: Latex file, 21 pages

We derive and analyze exact static solutions to the gravitating O(3) $\sigma$ model with cosmological constant in (2+1) dimensions. Both signs of the gravitational and cosmological constants are considered. Our solutions include geodesically complete spacetimes, and two classes of black holes., Comment: 10 pages, latex

We derive and analyze exact static solutions to the gravitating O(3) $\sigma$ model with cosmological constant in (2+1) dimensions. Both signs of the gravitational and cosmological constants are considered. Our solutions include geodesically complete spacetimes, and two classes of black holes., Comment: 10 pages, latex

We investigate the family of electrostatic spherically symmetric solutions of the five-dimensional Kaluza-Klein theory. Both charged and neutral cases are considered. The analysis of the solutions, through their geometrical properties, reveals the existence of black holes, wormholes and naked singularities. A new class of regular solutions is identified. A monopole perturbation study of all these solutions is carried out, enabling us to prove analytically the stability of large classes of solutions. In particular, the black hole solutions are stable, while for the regular solutions the stability analysis leads to an eigenvalue problem., Comment: Latex file, 21 pages

This research evaluates models of earthquake behavior and fault segmentation, by quantifying the rupture-magnitude pattern along the trace of coseismic surface rupture for each of four earthquakes. One is the 1983 (Ms = 7.3) Borah Peak, Idaho, earthquake and three are prehistoric. Two earthquakes occurred along each of the adjacent Thousand Springs and Mackay Segments (TSS and MS) of the Lost River fault in east-central Idaho, and within their intervening segment boundary. The apparent vertical slip-component (throw) was measured as the vertical separation of surveyed longitudinal profiles of faulted stream floodplains, terraces, and alluvial fans, and relative uncertainty in the measurements was obtained. The true vertical slip-component (VD) was calculated to account for geometric distortion in throw data. Knowledge of fault dip is required, and was estimated using structural contour models of the fault. The preferred model relies on the measured orientation of the 1983 net-slip vector at a faulted-fence site, but the calculation is more dependent on profile gradient then on fault dip. The ages of faulted landforms are constrained by a dated soil chronosequence (in calibrated calendar years BP). The period of record is approximately ≈ 17 ky, the age of ubiquitous late-glacial fans. The Borah Peak surface rupture is 5 km longer than previously thought. 1983 rupture VD was uniformly approximately ≈ 2 m along the southeastern half of the TSS and penetrated the segment boundary with uniform VD of 0.5 m. The penultimate earthquake on the TSS occurred between 10 and 11 ka, and had rupture magnitude and location nearly identical to the 1983 earthquake. On the Mackay Segment (MS), an earthquake occurred at approximately ≈ 5 ka with ruptures penetrating the segment boundary. Apparently a previous event occurred between 12 and 17 ka. The cumulative VD for the period of record is uniform 4 to 4.5 m on both the TSS and the MS, but only 2 m ofVD in the segment boundary. There