Processors (WO 2010/082067 A2)

A processing system comprises a plurality of processors (12) and communication means (20) arranged to carry messages between the processors, wherein each of the processors (12) has an operating instruction memory field (32, 34, 36) arranged to hold stored operating instructions including a re-routing target address. Each processor is arranged to receive a message (38) including operating instructions including a target address. On receipt of the message, each processor is arranged to: check the target address in the message to determine whether it corresponds to an address associated with the processor; if the target address in the message does correspond to an address associated with the processor, to check the operating instructions in the message to determine whether the message is to be re-routed; and, if the message is to be re-routed, to replace operating instructions within the message with the stored operating instructions, and place the message on the communication means for delivery to the re-routing target address

The Effect of Gender Stereotypes on Perceived Decision Making Abilities

The purpose of this study was to explore and study the effects of both positive and negative stereotypes on the perceived decision making abilities of those exposed to them. Past research has indicated that prejudice towards women exists more prevalently and more intensely in society than it does for males. Accordingly, we predicted that women would respond more negatively to such stereotypes than men would when presented with them. We then measured this by asking participants to judge their perceived agency in hypothetical situations that required decision making. We tested this with both positive and negative stereotypes, and also with a control. Our findings did produce significant results showing a main effect of participant gender (female) causing them to rate themselves more negatively then males on average. These results are important because they show that women respond negatively to these pervasive and flawed stereotypes attributed to their gender which could negatively affect their ability to make efficient decisions in everyday life

The Effects Of Beaver Impoundments On Montane Stream Fish Communites

North American beavers (Castor canadensis) are ecological engineers, and their dams alter stream environments. Few studies have examined the effect of beaver dams on Southern Appalachian fishes. I sampled fish communities from 9 streams with active beaver ponds and 7 with inactive beaver ponds. Sediment was taken from all ponds to quantify the abundance of oligochaete worms, potential hosts for the fish parasite Myxobolus cerebralis. I found that both active and inactive beaver impoundments affect water quality, fish communities, and oligochaete prevalence. Generalized linear mixed effect models (GLMMs) indicate reduced fish diversity in streams with active impoundments. The magnitude of this reduction depends on the proximity to an impoundment. Models indicate that site elevation plays the strongest role in determining fish species richness. Active ponds also had lower dissolved oxygen and temperatures. Indicator species analysis found two species associated with active beaver ponds and 8 associated with inactive ponds or unimpounded reaches. Oligochaetes were more prevalent in active ponds, but I detected no abnormal salmonids. My work indicates that Appalachian Mountain streams with active ponds support less diverse fish assemblages than those with inactive ponds. Beaver ponds improve habitat for oligochaetes but their role in fish disease transmission remains unclear

Alliances, Shared Identity, and Continued Cooperation

Realists and liberals dominate the literature on alliances. Realists tend to emphasize the competitive nature of international politics, and therefore are pessimistic about the ability of states to cooperate for long periods of time. Liberals, on the other hand, see alliances as a practical way for states to cooperate on a variety of issues. This study comes from a constructivist approach, arguing that both schools of thought miss important aspects of the alliance process. It is identity, not competition or cooperation that best explains alliances’ ability to persist. Through case studies on NATO, CENTO, and the US-South Korean alliance, this study shows that identity means the difference between success and failure of alliances in many cases. It also uses quantitative methods to attempt to find generalizable conclusions. Strong identities are important for alliances, and this study argues that they can make alliances substantially more successful

Multiscale simulation, data assimilation, and forecasting in support of the SPURS-2 field campaign

A multiscale simulation, data assimilation, forecasting system was developed in support of the SPURS-2 (Salinity Processes in the Upper-ocean Regional Study 2) field campaign. Before the field campaign, a multiyear simulation was produced for characterizing variabilities in upper-ocean salinity, eddy activity, and other parameters and for illustrating major processes that control the region’s upper-ocean salinity at different spatial and temporal scales. This simulation assisted in formulating sampling plans. During the field experiment, the system integrated SPURS-2 measurements with those from routine operational observing networks, including Argo floats and satellite surface temperatures, salinities, and heights, and provided real-time skillful daily forecasts of ocean conditions. Forecast reports were prepared to summarize oceanic conditions and multiscale features and were delivered to the SPURS-2 chief scientist and other SPURS-2 investigators through the SPURS-2 Information System. After the field experiment, the data assimilation system was used to produce a reanalysis product to help quantify contributions of different processes to salinity variability in the region

Patterns of SSS variability in the eastern tropical Pacific: Intraseasonal to interannual timescales from seven years of NASA satellite data

Sea surface salinity (SSS) observations from NASA’s satellite missions, Aquarius/SAC-D and Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP), are used to describe spatial patterns of the seasonal cycle, as well as intraseasonal and interannual variability, in the eastern tropical Pacific, the location of the second Salinity Processes in the Upper-ocean Regional Study (SPURS-2) field experiment. The results indicate that the distribution of SSS variance is highly inhomogeneous in both space and time. The seasonal signal is largest in the core of the Eastern Pacific Fresh Pool and in the Gulf of Panama. The interannual signal is highest in a relatively narrow zonal band along approximately 5°N, while the intraseasonal signal appears to be a dominant mode of variability in the zonally stretched near-equatorial region. Located right in the middle of a hotspot of high SSS variance, the SPURS-2 site appears to be at the crossroads of many different processes that shape the distribution of SSS in the eastern tropical Pacific and beyond

The SPURS-2 eastern tropical Pacific field campaign data collection

This paper describes the large, diverse set of in situ data collected during the Salinity Processes in the Upper-ocean Regional Study 2 (SPURS-2) field campaign. The data set includes measurements of the ocean, atmosphere, and fluxes between atmosphere and ocean; measurements of the skin surface layer, bulk mixed layer, and deeper water; (mostly) physical, chemical, and biological measurements; and shipbased, mobile drifting/floating, and moored observations. We include references detailing the methods for collection of each data set, provide DOIs for accessing the data, and note some papers in this special issue that use them. To facilitate broader access to SPURS-2 data and information, we created an online tool that allows users to explore data sets organized by various categories (e.g., instrument type, mobility, depth). This tool will complement content available from the Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center (PO.DAAC) and will be highly engaging for visual learners

Childbirth education : a descriptive investigation

It was the purpose of this study to design and begin the initial phase of the psychological-sociological segment of the Pregnancy Helping System (PHS) as elaborated by the Pregnancy Helping System staff of the Department of Child Development and Family Relations of the School of Home Economics of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. There were two projected outcomes of this pilot study: a) an evaluation of the research tool designed for use in the PHS, the Parental Decision-Making Questionnaire (PDMQ); and b) a description of the potential for further elaboration and functioning of the PHS. A description of the logistics and utilization of, reaction to, and evaluation of childbirth education services extant in Greensboro, North Carolina, as of June, 1973, were seen as forming the basis of the study. Subjects came from three local obstetrical firms and were chosen on the basis of two critieria: a) they needed to be in their eighth or ninth month of pregnancy; and b) they needed to have completed their childbirth education course if they were enrolled in one. Research forms were distributed in the physicians' offices by their receptionists and were either completed there or completed at home and mailed to the researcher in a stamped, self-addressed envelope provided by a co-researcher. There were 13 subjects in the study group

Distributions of mixed layer properties in North Pacific water mass formation areas: comparison of Argo floats and World Ocean Atlas 2001

ABSTRACT. Winter mixed layer characteristics in the North Pacific Ocean are examined and compared between Argo floats in 2006 and the World Ocean Atlas 2001 (WOA01) climatology for a series of named water masses, North Pacific Tropical Water (NPTW), Eastern Subtropical Mode Water (ESTMW), North Pacific Subtropical Mode Water (NPSTMW), Light Central ModeWater (LCMW) and Dense Central Mode Water (DCMW). The WOA01 is found to be in good agreement with the Argo data in terms of water mass volumes, average temperature-salinity (T-S) properties, and outcrop areas. The exception to this conclusion is for the central mode waters, DCMW and LCMW, whose outcropping is shown to be much more intermittent than is apparent in the WOA01 and whose T-S properties vary from what is shown in theWOA01. Distributions of mixed layer T-S properties measured by floats are examined within the outcropping areas defined by the WOA01 and show some shifting of T-S characteristics within the confines of the named water masses. In 2006, all the water masses were warmer than climatology on average, with a magnitude of about 0.5 degrees C. The NPTW, NPSTMW and LCMW were saltier than climatology and the ESTMW and DCMW fresher, with magnitudes of about 0.05. In order to put these results into context, differences between Argo and WOA01 were examined over the North Pacific between 20 and 45 degrees N. A large-scale warming and freshening is seen throughout this area, except for the western North Pacific, where results were more mixed