Airline Miles Research Articles

The reduced environmental impact of American society of Clinical Oncology’s 2021 virtual annual meeting.

e13625 Background: In response to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting transitioned to a virtual, online conference. As medical conferences around the world have transitioned to virtual formats, numerous benefits have been uncovered; however, the environmental effect of reduced travel on carbon emissions remains largely unknown. Today, it is estimated that conference attendance accounts for 35% of a scientist’s total carbon footprint. Given that the climate crisis is a growing threat to human health and oncology outcomes, it is imperative to begin to quantify, understand, and promote sustainable practices. We aim to highlight the reduced travel-related greenhouse emissions associated with the transition of ASCO’s 2021 Annual Meeting to a virtual platform in comparison to a hypothetical in-person conference. Methods: Attendee demographic data was collected online from the ASCO 2021 Annual Meeting. The distance traveled per attendee to a hypothetical in-person conference in Chicago, Illinois (the location for the 2022 Annual Meeting) was estimated using reported attendees’ home country and a hypothesized centralized location. Approximate airline miles and associated carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were calculated using the Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Tools. It was assumed that all attendees had non-stop airfare and traveled in economy class. The approximate CO2 emissions for the virtual conference was estimated based on assumed internet usage (8 hours/day for the 5-day conference period). Results: A total of 32,950 conference attendees were identified - 14,150 domestic attendees and 16,050 international attendees. For the hypothesized in-person conference, the total carbon footprint for all assumed transportation was determined to be 28,468,031.25 lbs. of CO2 emissions, with an average of 863.0 lbs. of CO2 emissions per attendee. Alternatively, emissions related to virtual conference internet streaming accounted for a total of 436,258 lbs of CO2. Total emissions spared with the transition to a virtual platform was an estimated 28,031,773.25 lbs of CO2., the equivalent emissions of 1,531 U.S. homes’ energy use for one year. Conclusions: Incorporating options for virtual attendance at academic conferences has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions. However, many believe that virtual networking cannot replace in-person interactions particularly for early-career attendees. Regardless, our professional societies have an obligation to investigate and promote greater sustainability of our annual meetings.

Persistence of airline accidents

This paper expands on air travel accident research by examining the relationship between air travel accidents and airline traffic or volume in the period from 1927-2006. The theoretical model is based on a representative airline company that aims to maximise its profits, and it utilises a fractional integration approach in order to determine whether there is a persistent pattern over time with respect to air accidents and air traffic. Furthermore, the paper analyses how airline accidents are related to traffic using a fractional cointegration approach. It finds that airline accidents are persistent and that a (non-stationary) fractional cointegration relationship exists between total airline accidents and airline passengers, airline miles and airline revenues, with shocks that affect the long-run equilibrium disappearing in the very long term. Moreover, this relation is negative, which might be due to the fact that air travel is becoming safer and there is greater competition in the airline industry. Policy implications are derived for countering accident events, based on competition and regulation.

Loyalty Programs

Compared to hotel frequent-guest programs, airline frequent-flyer programs have gained not only more membership but greater penetration of key groups of travelers, notably, business travelers and high-income, high-frequency travelers. Based on a survey of 287 guests at nine hotels in Seattle, Washington, airline loyalty programs have gained considerably greater awareness among travelers than have hotel programs. One-third of the leisure travelers in this survey reported that they were not aware of hotel loyalty programs (even though they were staying in a hotel). The study found that travelers who join both hotel and airline loyalty programs are also the most frequent travelers. By far, the proportion of travelers who join airline frequent-flyer programs exceeds that of those who have joined hotel frequent-guest programs. Perhaps most critically for hotel programs, the surveyed guests would prefer to receive airline miles for their hotel stay than to receive hotel points.

Introduction to time series analysis and forecasting

1. Introduction to Forecasting. 1.1 The Nature and uses of Forecasts. 1.2 Some Examples of Time Series. 1.3 The Forecasting Process. 1.4 Resources for Forecasting. 2. Statistics Background for Forecasting. 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 Graphical Displays. 2.3 Numerical Description of Time Series Data. 2.4 Use of Data Transformations and Adjustments. 2.5 General Approach to Time Series Analysis and Forecasting. 2.6 Evaluating and Monitoring Forecasting Model Performance. 3. Regression Analysis and Forecasting. 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Least Squares Estimation in Linear Regression Models. 3.3 Statistical Inference in Linear Regression. 3.4 Prediction of New Observations. 3.5 Model Adequacy Checking. 3.6 Variable Selection Methods in Regression. 3.7 Generalized and Weighted Least Squares. 3.8 Regression Models for General Time Series Data. 4. Exponential Smoothing Methods. 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 First-Order Exponential Smoothing. 4.3 Modeling Time series Data. 4.4 Second-Order Exponential Smoothing. 4.5 Higher-Order Exponential Smoothing. 4.6 Forecasting. 4.7 Exponential Smoothing for Seasonal Data. 4.8 Exponential Smoothers and ARIMA Models. 5. Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) Models. 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 Linear Models for Stationary Time Series. 5.3 Finite Order Moving Average (MA) Processes. 5.4 Finite Order Autoregressive Processes. 5.5 Mixed Autoregressive-Moving Average (ARMA) Processes. 5.6 Non-stationary Processes. 5.7 Time Series Model Building . 5.8 Forecasting ARIMA Processes . 5.9 Seasonal Processes. 5.10 Final Comments. 6. Transfer Function and Intervention Models. 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Transfer Function Models. 6.3 Transfer Function-Noise Models. 6.4 Cross Correlation Function. 6.5 Model Specification. 6.6 Forecasting with Transfer Function-Noise Models. 6.7 Intervention Analysis. 7. Survey of Other Forecasting Methods. 7.1 Multivariate Time Series Models and Forecasting. 7.2 State Space Models. 7.3 ARCH and GARCH Models. 7.4 Direct Forecasting of Percentiles. 7.5 Combining Forecasts to Improve Prediction Performance. 7.6 Aggregation and Disaggregation of Forecasts. 7.7 Neural Networks and Forecasting. 7.8 Some Comments on Practical Implementation and use of Statistical Forecasting Techniques. Bibliography. Appendix. Appendix A Statistical Tables. Table A.1 Cumulative Normal Distribution. Table A.2 Percentage Points of the Chi-Square Distribution. Table A.3 Percentage Points of the t Distribution. Table A.4 Percentage Points of the F Distribution. Table A.5 Critical Values of the Durbin-Watson Statistic. Appendix B Data Sets for Exercises. Table B.1 Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-year Constant Maturity. Table B.2 Pharmaceutical Product Sales. Table B.3 Chemical Process Viscosity. Table B.4 U.S Production of Blue and Gorgonzola Cheeses. Table B.5 U.S. Beverage Manufacturer Product Shipments, Unadjusted. Table B.6 Global Mean Surface Air Temperature Anomaly and Global CO22 Concentration. Table B.7 Whole Foods Market Stock Price, Daily Closing Adjusted for Splits. Table B.8 Unemployment Rate - Full-Time Labor Force, Not Seasonally Adjusted. Table B.9 International Sunspot Numbers. Table B.10 United Kingdom Airline Miles Flown. Table B.11 Champagne Sales. Table B.12 Chemical Process Yield, with Operating Temperature (Uncontrolled). Table B.13 U.S. Production of Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt. Table B.14 Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations at Mauna Loa Observatory. Table B.15 U.S. National Violent Crime Rate. Table B.16 U.S. Gross Domestic Product. Table B.17 U.S. Total Energy Consumption. Table B.18 U.S. Coal Production. Table B.19 Arizona Drowning Rate, Children 1-4 Years Old. Table B.20 U.S. Internal Revenue Tax Refunds. Index.

Characteristics of Members of Hotel Frequent-Guest Programs: Implications for the Hospitality Industry

This study, based on a current sample of 304 hotel guests, examines the demographic, behavioral, and attitudinal characteristics of hotel frequent-guest program members. Based on our findings and our search of the literature, we present the marketing and operational implications for the hospitality industry. We recommend that frequent-guest programs be targeted not only toward male business travelers, but also to women who now make up one third of hotel frequent-guest program members and are a growing segment of the travel market. Because the larger hotel chains have greater geographical coverage, they have the inherent advantage, but smaller chains can be competitive by giving more generous awards that never expire and are instantly redeemable. We also recommend that hotels partner with airlines so that members can earn hotel points by flying, and conversely can opt for airline miles by staying in hotels. Also, because frequent-guest program members tend to make their own travel arrangements, often online without the help of corporate travel planners and travel agents, hotels should promote directly to members. Finally, because business travelers are very averse to the confiscation of their awards by their corporations, like the airlines, hotels should not allow corporations to register as corporate members.

Reducing Travelling Costs and Player Fatigue in the National Basketball Association

The costs of the current National Basketball Association (NBA) schedule have had deleterious effects on the financial position of the league. The 22 teams travel an unnecessary number of airline miles, resulting in increased fatigue for the players and dollar losses to the owners. We have considered several optimization methods to lower the total number of passenger miles the league travels. We have succeeded in developing efficient schedules, by a combination of these techniques, for the 1978–1979 and 1979–1980 seasons. These schedules satisfy the league's constraints and would have led to savings of $757,000 or 20.4% over the NBA's current schedule. The NBA is considering our proposal to schedule the 1980–1981 and 1981–1982 seasons.

Observations on Food Habits of Incubating Female Blue Grouse

Few data are available concerning foods eaten by incubating birds. We know of only two such references to tetraonids in North America, each of which deals with observations on use of feeding sites by two birds only (Schladweiler, J. Wildl. Mgmt. 32:426428, 1968; Pendergast and Boag, J. Wildl. Mgmt. 34: 605-611, 1970). Our data too are limited, consisting of crop samples from 19 incubating female Blue Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) collected on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, in the summer of 1962. Nevertheless, these birds were taken from two structurally different habitats and give some insight into the range of foods acceptable to incubating Blue Grouse over a relatively short distance, the study areas being only 30 airline miles apart. The areas from which our birds were collected are Comox Burn (10 birds), near Courtenay, and Middle Quinsam (9 birds), near Campbell River. Comox Burn was swept by wildfire in September 1961; thus, birds here were collected from an area in the first growing season following burning. New plant growth was mainly from seeds or rootstocks that survived the fire. In contrast, about one-third of Middle Quinsam was burned by wildfire in 1938 and the other two-thirds in 1951. Succession was well advanced by 1962 and structure of the habitat and availability of plants were very different than at Comox Burn (Zwickel and Bendell, Proc. XV Int. Ornithol. Congr., In Press, 1972).

Biological Notes on Adults and Eggs of Phytomyza syngenesiae in North-Central Coastal California1

A mixed population of Phytomyza syngenesiae (Hardy) (formerly P. atricomis Meigen) from material originally collected from tansy ragwort, Senecio jacobaea L., at Fort Bragg and Albany, California (132 airline miles apart) increased remarkably on S. jacobaea plants in laboratory cages and in a greenhouse. The huge populations, which often appeared to arise from isolated individual insects, were not the result of parthenogenesis (44 mated females laid viable eggs; 40 virgin females laid only nonviable eggs). The parasitic Hymenoptera of this leaf miner do not reproduce in cages or greenhouses, and the life cycle of the leaf miner is short (about 28 days) with 12 hours of 24 and 12 hours of 12.75, and it can be completed and sustained in small cages. Virginity did not affect the fecundity of the females, but the preoviposition period of virgins was longer than for mated females (average 4±2 days vs. 2±0.5 days).

A Case History of the Postle Area-Computer Production Control and Reservoir Simulation

The Postle Area Computer Control Operation (PACCO) handles 95 oil wells, 45 water injection wells, and 10 water supply wells about 300 miles from the control computer. After a year's operation, the system showed itself to be highly satisfactory and effective, and pleasing to everyone - whether in operations, engineering, accounting. or management. Introduction Oil reserves were discovered in 1958 in the Pennsylvanian Age sands in the Postle Area of Texas County, Okla., by Republic Natural Gas Co. Step-out wildcats and development drilling established additional production and by 1960 five separate fields were identified. Subsequent development has gradually coalesced these fields to form a major producing area called the Postle Area, located near the center of the Oklahoma Panhandle (Fig. 1). This area now includes 38,000 productive acres and produces approximately 27,000 bbl of oil per day and 35 MMcf of gas per day from 332 producing wells. Five pressure maintenance units are in operation and are currently injecting 70,000 BWPD. Two additional pressure maintenance units are being formed. A computer production control and data acquisition system operates 95 oil wells, 45 water injection wells, 10 water supply wells, five central tank batteries, two production test satellites and four water injection stations in four of the five units. The control computer is located in Oklahoma City, approximately 300 airline miles southeast of the producing properties. Reservoir simulator model studies were used to monitor project performance, design a pressure maintenance program, and change the operational guidelines for a second project. They are expected to result in a 15 percent increase in ultimate oil recovery. The use of computers, of the digital reservoir simulator model, and of the computer production control and data acquisition system has afforded optimum project management of reservoir performance and operations. In 1962, when development was approximately 20 percent complete, Mobil Oil Corp. acquired the Republic Natural Gas Co.'s acreage, which is a significant portion of the oil-productive acreage in the Postle Area. The following is a discussion of the ensuing exploitation of the five major Pennsylvanian Age oil-bearing sands underlying the Postle Area and the computer production control and data acquisition system as it was applied in the Postle Area. Geology The Postle Area is located in the southern portion of the Hugoton Embayment of the Anadarko basin in Texas County, Okla. The Pennsylvanian Age sands in this area underlie a portion of the Permian Age Hugoton gas field. Editor's note: This paper is a combined version of the original manuscripts of "A Review of Postle Area - Development, Unitization, Pressure Maintenance and Computer Applications," by R.A. Irwin, C.W. Tucker, and H.E. Schwartz, Jr.; and "Computer Production Control and Data Acquisition as Applied in Postle Area," by H.E. Schwartz, Jr.

Durabilities of sand size schist and 'volcanic' rock fragments during fluvial transport, Elk creek, Black Hills, South Dakota

Elk Creek is 120 stream miles (70 airline miles) in length and flows eastward from the northern Black Hills to join the Cheyenne River. The drainage basin encloses 601 sq. mi., of which 95.1 percent is underlain by Paleozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary rocks, 2.3 percent by Precambrian metamorphic rocks, and 1.8 percent by Tertiary felsitic siliceous hypabyssal rocks (volcanics). Cenozoic terrace gravels overlie approximately 25 percent of the sedimentary rocks. A detailed petrographic examination of sand sized stream sediment in Elk Creek reveals: (1) most schist fragments are mechanically destroyed by less than 15 miles of transport (8 airline miles) in the high gradient portion of the stream; (2) volcanic rock fragments are durable and there is no noticeable loss from mechanical abrasion during the initial 100 miles of transport; (3) rounding of volcanic rock fragments due to mechanical abrasion occurs only in sediment coarser than 1mm.

Kinesthetic Orientation in the California Newt (Taricha Torosa)

AbstractExperiments were performed to test the possible role of the kinesthetic sense in the maintenance of the direction of travel in migrating newts. Two hundred and fifteen Taricha torosa were allowed to orient in an arena open only to the night sky and, after being spun, were allowed to orient again. One hundred and fifty-three came from the area in which the arena was located and sixty-two from a locality 39 airline miles away. "Unspun" newts oriented in the direction that they were travelling when first seen, and a roughly straight-line course was followed. Newts from the distant locality did not orient as well as those captured near the arena. After spinning, random movements or a route determined by the direction of release, was observed. It is concluded that a kinesthetic sense is probably important in helping these animals maintain a straight-line course during their migratory movements.

First Records of Plethodon dunni in California, and New Distributional Data on Ascaphus truei, Rhyacotriton olympicus, and Hydromantes shastae

Two new localities of Plethodon dunni in Del Norte County, California, constitute the first report of the species in the state and from redwood forest areas. Biogeographic barriers that occur along the California-Oregon border are discussed. Five Rhyacotriton olympicus found in Josephine County, Oregon, represent a new inland record for the species. Discovery of Ascaphus truei in the McCloud River region of north-central California extends the range of the frog 41 airline miles eastward. The distribution and habitat of Hydromantes shastae are reviewed, and three new localities are reported near the McCloud River USFS Station, Shasta County, California. We recommend protection of limestone outcrops that harbor H. shastae and that these salamanders be taken sparingly if at all.

Natural Movements of Beavers in Southeastern Idaho

One hundred and ninety-two beavers (Castor canadensis) were livetrapped and tagged in order to determine the origin of troublesome beavers on private lands. Data from 87 retrapped animals showed that 19 had moved at least 1 mile in 7to 28-month periods and the 19 moves averaged 5.3 airline miles. An adult male moved 11.3 miles, the longest recorded. Of the limited sample, the yearling age-class, and the males of all age groups, showed the greatest migration tendencies. Evidence from one colony indicated that some beavers have an innate tendency to leave their home colony when about 2 years old, rather than being driven off by their parents. The common migration pattern was from high elevation public land to private holdings downstream where beaver structures caused flooding of crops, pastures, and roads, and the interruption of irrigation and stock-watering systems. Beavers perennially cause problems for ranchers, farmers, and highway crews in Bear Lake and Caribou counties in southeastern Idaho. Long trapping seasons and vigilant conservation officers assure that the majority of beavers in complaint areas are annually eliminated. However, beavers soon move in to fill the vacancies. In 1962 a study was initiated to determine the productivity and origin of these migrants (Leege 1964). The productivity data have already been reported (Leege and Williams 1967). Thanks are extended to Dr. Paul D. Dalke, Idaho Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, and Roger M. Williams, Idaho Fish and Game Department, for their counsel throughout the study and for reviewing this manuscript. John Kindall assisted with the livetrapping and provided most of the tag returns through his fur trapping activities.

Early Occupations in Bighorn Canyon, Montana

Excavation of the Mangus Site (24CB221) in Bighorn Canyon, Montana revealed a stratum containing artifacts of the Agate Basin Complex. This occupa tion was dated by radiocarbon at 6740 B. C. and 6650 B. C. The Sorenson Site (24CB202) contained two early cultural levels, one of unknown cultural affiliation datedat 5850 B. C. and 5610 B. C. over lying a second unidentified occupation. Future investigations in Bighorn Canyon may produce artifacts allowing identifi cation of these two occupations. Recent archeological salvage investi gations within the Yellowtail Reservoir of south-central Montana have brought to light several occupations of considerable antiquity. In 1962, the River Basin Sur veys of the Smithsonian Institution exca vated a small rock shelter containing evi dence of two occupations dating in excess of 7,000 years but of unknown affiliation. Subsequently, during the 1963 field sea son, artifacts of the Agate Basin com plex were found in a second shelter in the immediate vicinity. A comprehen sive report of these excavations is being deferred until all work in the reservoir area has been completed, but because of general interest in cultural remains of early date, this short, preliminary pa per is presented in order to make avail able two additional radiocarbon dates for the Agate Basin complex, brief de scrip tions of the associated features and arti facts, and data concerning the other ear ly occupations in Bighorn Canyon. The Mangus Site (24CB221), with which this report is primarily concerned, was a small rock shelter located on the left bank of the Bighorn River in Bighorn Canyon about seven airline miles north of the Montana-Wyoming state line in Car bon County, Montana. The shelter was about 55 feet wide and 19 feet deep and was situated at the top of a steep talus slope about 100 feet above the river. The northern end contained dense occu pational debris, but the southern end had a low ceiling and was very narrow, af fording little protected area for living. Three distinct cultural levels were de fined, the lowest of which contained Agate Basin points. The uppermost cul tural level was Late Prehistoric (Mulloy 1958) and occurred as a thick, charcoal laden zone of burned rocks, juniper bark, and artifacts. Deep firepits filled with rock fragments or river cobbles were associated with this level. The inter mediate occupation, in a six-inch thick stratum of reddish limestone rubble and sand, has not been identified but it may be Late Middle Prehistoric (Mulloy 1958). The Agate Basin zone was on, and slightly below, the surface of a stratum of fine, homogenous, light brown sand. The sand overlay reddish limestone rub ble and sand of undetermined depth. The rubble deposit sloped steeply downward 7 This content downloaded from 207.46.13.85 on Sat, 28 May 2016 06:17:49 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms from the rear of the shelter. The sur face of the sand was nearly horizontal; thus, it pinched out near the rear of the cave. Twelve small firepits were found in the Agate Basin level. These varied from oval to circular in outline and had straight or slightly inward-sloping walls and level or slightly concave bottoms. Maximum diameters ranged from 0. 8 to 2. 3 foot with the average being about 1.5 foot. Depths ranged between 0.25 foot and 0. 7 foot and averaged 0. 45 foot. Fill consisted of stained sand and pieces of charcoal. The charcoal varied from scarce to abundant and particle sizes ranged from small bits to moderately large pieces. There was no apparent pattern in the placement of the firepits, but they were concentrated in the area beneath, and a short distance inside, the outer edge of the cave roof. Charcoal from two of the firepits was sent to the Smithsonian Institution Divi sion of Radiation and Organisms for ra diocarbon dating. The results fall very nicely within the suggested time range for the Agate Basin complex of from 8000 B. C. to 5000 B. C. (Roberts 1961: 132). Sample No. SI-98 was dated at 8690 + 100 years B. P. (6740 B. C. ), and Sample No. SI-101 gave a date of 8600 + 100 years B. P. (6650 B. C. ).

Some Gramineae from Cerro Potosi, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

Cerro Potosi is an isolated peak in the Sierra Madre Oriental approximately 50 airline miles south of Monterrey, Mexico. The peak is located at the north end of a valley which contains several small villages, and one town, Galeana, of considerable size. The base of the peak lies at 5000' and the summit 12,500', with no timberline. From 5000' to 6800' there is a dense oak matorral forest and above this extending to the summit is pine forest. The climate is basically temperate. The south and east slopes are more mesic than the west and north. Night temperatures become colder as elevation increases. During the summer the upper half of the peak is partially covered by clouds from midafternoon until sunrise. Cattle were observed grazing at levels where the pine forest occurs, but the density of animals appeared low. The town of Galeana was founded in 1743 (McLean & Hoyo, 1963) and the valley has been subject to European occupation since that date. The peak has been exploited for timber and grazing since initial settlement of the area by Europeans.

Sexual, Geographical, and Individual Variation in Three Texas Populations of the Lizard, Uta stansburiana stejnegeri

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the stability and extent of sexual, geographical, and individual variation both within and between three populations of the lizard Uta stansburiana stejnegeri and to assess evolutionary factors that might produce the observed interpopulational differences. This subspecies is abundant and easily collected in western Texas. Over a two-year period approximately 1900 individuals were taken from these populations and subjected to taxonomic analysis. Thirteen morphological characters were selected. Samples were rendered homogeneous with regard to sex and size groups. All data were treated statistically and significance tests applied to observed differences. Of the three populations studied, the one in Palo Duro 'Canyon, which is separated by a distance of 250 airline miles from either of the other two, is the most divergent. Gene flow between Palo Duro lizards and those to the south is more limited because of low lizard density in the unsuitable habitat in the region which separates them. Finally, for several reasons random genetic change may be of more importance in the northern population than in the southern ones. Although significant statistical differences have been established in a number of different characters, taxonomically all data fall below the conventional level for subspecific recognition (90% rule) of the populations. Some regional infrasubspecific differentiation due to local adaptation is indicated. INTRODUCTION Uta stansburiana ste jnegeri, the desert side-blotched lizard, is well suited for taxonomic study. It is abundant, easily collected in large samples throughout the year, and possesses scale counts and other meristic characteristics that exhibit a wide range of variation. For these reasons, this lizard was chosen for a study of microvariation at the intrasubspecific level. The objectives of the present study were to determine the extent of sexual, geographic and individual variation in three populations of Uta s. stejnegeri in western Texas on the basis of 13 selected morphological characters and to, attempt to determine what evolutionary factors were chiefly involved in producing the divergence in the three populations. Acknowledgments.-For assistance in the field, I am grateful to William Voss and Donald Woodard of Texas Technological College; and John George, University of Kansas. For supplying much helpful information I am especially indebted to William Hahn, Sumner Dana, and James Thomerson, all graduate students at this institution. Last, I am particularly grateful to my major professor, Dr. Donald W. Tinkle, for his patience, suggestions, and valuable assistance during the course of this study. A National Science Foundation Grant Number G-7143, and one from the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission Number

New Records for Reptiles from Chihuahua, Mexico, with Comments on Sympatry between two Species of Cnemidophorus

NEW RECORDS FOR REPTILES FROM CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO, WITH COMMENTS ON SYMPATRY BETWEEN TWO SPECIES OF CNEMIDOPHORUS.-The species mentioned below were collected during a brief collecting trip in the Mexican state of Chihuahua in July, 1962. Numbers refer to specimens in the collection of Ralph W. Axtell (RWA) or Robert G. Webb (RGW). We thank Hobart M. Smith for information concerning Tantilla atriceps. Cnemidophorus exsanguis Lowe and Cnemidophorus septemvittatus scalaris Cope.-Duellman and Zweifel (Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 123: 198, 1962) wrote that and west of Chihuahua City (the exact areas of contact remain to be discovered) C. s. scalaris is replaced by C. On a previous page, however, (op. cit.: 186) they mentioned the possibility of intergradation between C. exsanguis and C. septemvittatus on the Mexican Plateau. We found the two species sympatric at three localities-12 road mi. NW Cd. Chihuahua (2 scalaris, 2 exsanguis), 12 road mi. NW Est. Bachimba (27 road mi. NW of Meoqui, 7 scalaris, 3 exsanguis), and 10 road mi. NW Est. Bachimba (2 scalaris, 1 exsanguis). The four lizards from the first-mentioned locality are not included in the discussion below because the two exsanguis, presumably gravid, are being kept alive. Lizards from the last two localities are lumped for comparison between the two species. Duellman and Zweifel (op. cit.: 199) mentioned that several specimens of scalaris from near Meoqui, Chihuahua, resembled exsanguis, and, in the field, we initially identified several specimens of scalaris as exsanguis. Our four female exsanguis (RGW 2753-54; RWA 1084, 1086) range from 76 to 86 mm. in snout-vent length and closely resemble some scalaris of corresponding size in having whitish ventral surfaces and dorsal patterns of longitudinal stripes with spots in the dark fields. However, such individuals of exsanguis were distinguished from scalaris in having (1) the pale longitudinal stripes dim and obscure on the neck, often a uniform grayisholive (striping bright and prominent on neck in scalaris), (2) the stripes on back obscure, so that the pale spotting was most prominent (striping as prominent as spotting on back in scalaris), and (3) smudges of dark pigment on the lateralmost row of ventrals (scales whitish in scalaris). In regard to the last-mentioned character, only one of nine scalaris (RWA 1080) resembled exsanguis. Duellman and Zweifel (op. cit.:198) reported an average of 86.5 (82-92) granules at midbody for six specimens of scalaris from Cd. Chihuahua-a number which corresponds to an average of 89.3 (78-99) for seven of our nine scalaris. However, the remaining two scalaris (RGW 2752, RWA 1080) had low counts of 70 and 72, which correspond to those of our exsanguis, averaging 73.0 (72-75). The above-mentioned facts suggest the possibility of gene exchange (perhaps via male scalaris, as no male exsanguis are known) between these two species which we found to overlap approximately 33 airline miles. No differences in habitat preference between the two species were noted. Lizards of both species were collected between elevations of 5000 and 5300 feet in hilly to low mountainous terrain, usually on alluvial outwash fans, but several specimens were collected on steep, talus and boulder-strewn slopes. Vegetative cover was widely spaced and principally mesquite, several species of acacia, creosote bush, and patches of grasses and herbs. Motts of scrub oak occurred only at the locality of highest elevation north of Cd. Chihuahua. Bufo punctatus, Holbrookia texana, Phry-

Three Dry-Laid Masonry Structures in the Northern Rocky Mountains

In July, 1956, I was requested by Harry B. Robinson, Chief Park Naturalist of Glacier National Park, to investigate 3 archaeological features reported to have been discovered in road construction through Marias Pass, along the southern boundary of Glacier Park. Boyd B. Gordon, Resident Engineer of the Bureau of Public Roads, in charge of the project, took me to the features in northwestern Montana, approximately 12 airline miles west of the Continental Divide, on Marias Pass between the Lewis Front Range and the Flathead Range. The site is situated on 2 flat benches high above the deep gorge of Crystal Creek and the floor of the Flathead River valley, about VA mile east of the juncture of the creek with the Middle Fork of the Flathead; its elevation is approximately 3600 feet, but it is surrounded by higher peaks such as Nyack Mountain, 4 miles southwest, which reaches 7760 feet.

Engineering aspects of the Dixie Valley-Fairview Peak earthquakes

abstract Few man-made structures existed in the epicentral regions, since the population was fairly small. Damage to structures was generally minor or nonexistent despite the geologic and seismographic evidences of a major earthquake. It is curious that the major structural damage in terms of dollar loss appears to have occurred at Sacramento, California, which is about 185 air line miles from the surface faulting. This study has been restricted to the building structures in the epicentral region plus significant structural damage elsewhere.

The Appearance of a Moose Rutting Ground

While traversing a portage in Quebec, Canada, on September 1, 1954, that had fallen into disuse, I was fortunate to find a moose ( Alces alces ) rutting ground. The area lies 175 airline miles north northwest of Montreal on the southeast bank of the Simard River just before it empties into Lake Dandurand. The portage, from …