Status of Matter-Gravity Couplings in the SME

Constraints on Lorentz violation in matter-gravity couplings are summarized along with existing proposals to obtain sensitivities that exceed current limits by up to 11 orders of magnitude.Comment: Presented at the Sixth Meeting on CPT and Lorentz Symmetry, Bloomington, Indiana, June 17-21, 201

Lorentz Symmetry and Matter-Gravity Couplings

This proceedings contribution summarizes recent investigations of Lorentz violation in matter-gravity couplings.Comment: 5 pages. Presented at the Fifth Meeting on CPT and Lorentz Symmetry, Bloomington, Indiana, June 28-July 2, 201

MORE RESERVOIRS OR TRANSFERS? A COMPUTABLE GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM ANALYSIS OF PROJECTED WATER SHORTAGES IN THE ARKANSAS RIVER BASIN

A computable general equilibrium model of the southeastern Colorado economy is used to compare the economic impacts of a proposed increase in reservoir storage to an alternative: temporary water transfers. While both provide municipalities with reliable water supply during droughts and are shown to benefit both rural and urban communities, temporary transfers are accomplished at a much lower economic and environmental cost. This analysis illustrates how computable general equilibrium models provide a more realistic portrayal of the impact of policy changes than input-output analysis by allowing substitution in response to economic conditions.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

COMPARING TWO TRANSECT METHODS FOR THE DETECTION OF RED-BACKED SALAMANDERS

Typical monitoring methods for terrestrial salamanders are subject to extensive variation, driven by the environmental conditions in effect during sampling. As rigorous salamander sampling methods are needed to monitor populations, there is a need to assess commonly used methods under a variety of environmental conditions. We hypothesized that of two methods used for capturing red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus), leaf litter searches and natural cover searches, the latter would perform best for adults and in situations where moisture was limiting. We compared captures for paired transect surveys: one a leaf litter search and the other a natural cover search, relative to age, proximity to streams, rainfall events, vapor pressure deficit and season. We found that natural cover searches outperformed leaf litter searches when conducted away from streams and in the absence of rainfall. Natural cover searches performed better regardless of vapor pressure deficit and season (spring or fall). Natural cover searches detected more adults than juveniles. We recommend natural cover searches as more efficient than leaf litter searches