Using geographic information systems to assess conflicts between agriculture and development

The conflict between agriculture and urban development is intense in urbanizing areas of the United States and is a problem best resolved at the local level. To effectively develop and apply techniques for preserving farmland, areas of conflict must be identified. This article describes the application of a geographic information system (GIS) for determining the location and level of conflict between agriculture and other forms of human intervention. The procedures used for assessing conflicts are described through a case study in the city of Westfield, Massachusetts and the findings show that GIS can be an effective tool for local decision makers, allowing alternative strategies to be developed and evaluated for agricultural protection.     

Minimalist counting in sensor networks (Noise helps)

We propose a novel algorithm for counting N indistinguishable objects, called targets, by a collection of sensors. We adopt a minimalist scenario where sensors are unaware of the (non-empty) intersections of sensing regions, and so simple addition of all sensor counts inflates estimates of the total number of targets. The multiple counting in intersections must be accounted for, but with nothing more than the sensor counts, this is clearly impossible. However, noise is typically present in the target counting of many, if not most, applications. We make the key observation that if there is a (target-dependent) noise source affecting all sensors simultaneously, then it couples those with non-empty intersections. Exploitation of this coupling allows us to extract multiple-counting statistics from stochastic correlation patterns, and hence to compute accurate estimates of N via the classical inclusion–exclusion formula. Cumulants are the correlation measures of choice. Our analysis brings out and resolves certain technicalities that arise in our statistical counting algorithm. Examples are worked out to show the potential of the new algorithm. The paper concludes with a discussion of alternative models and open problems.     

驱动步进电机的双通道音频放大器

虽然单绕线双极步进电机比较贵,但它们能在额定物理尺寸下提供很强的转矩.但是.进步电机两个绕组的每一个都需要8个驱动晶体管,并在H桥路结构中连接成4个一组.每个晶体管都必须承受过载和短路状况并迅速从中恢复,因此驱动器必须包含复杂庞大的分立元件保护电路.     

Modulation of Mechanical Interactions by Local Piezoelectric Effects

Piezoelectricity is a well‐established property of biological materials, yet its functional role has remained unclear. Here, a mechanical effect of piezoelectric domains resulting from collagen fibril organisation is demonstrated, and its role in tissue function and application to material design is described. Using a combination of scanning probe and nonlinear optical microscopy, a hierarchical structuring of piezoelectric domains in collagen‐rich tissues is observed, and their mechanical effects are explored in silico. Local electrostatic attraction and repulsion due to shear piezoelectricity in these domains modulate fibril interactions from the tens of nanometre (single fibril interactions) to the tens of micron (fibre interactions) level, analogous to modulated friction effects. The manipulation of domain size and organisation thus provides a capacity to tune energy storage, dissipation, stiffness, and damage resistance.     

Progress in CdZnTe substrate producibility and critical drivers of IRFPA yield originating with CdZnTe substrates

With the goal of maximizing the yield of infrared focal plane arrays (IRFPAs), Santa Barbara Research Center’s (SBRC) Infrared Materials Producibility Program (IRMP) has focused on assessing and improving the quality, yield, and throughput of CdZnTe substrates. A baseline detector lot was fabricated to identify the critical drivers of IRFPA yield coming from the substrates and to evaluate the quality and yield of the current vendor base for CdZnTe substrates. Substrate induced defects and impurities that can potentially affect device performance and operability were carefully mapped out in detail on 44 × 67 mm² size substrates, received from IRMP substrate vendors as well as SBRC. This paper will report on the correlations found between this substrate characterization data base and the IRFPA level defect distributions. Key results from these correlation studies are: (1) extended defects found on the substrates with the Nakagawa etch correlated well with responsivity reduction in the final IRFPA; (2) cross-hatch patterns that were evident in the responsivity map correlated well with similar features seen by x-ray topography on LPE double layers; and (3) a possible correlation of device performance (leakage current at 78K) with copper and lithium impurities in the substrate. Recent initiatives toward improving the quality and yield of the substrate growth process have focused on improving purity in the pre-growth charge preparation, modification of growth parameters to reduce defects and scaling up of the vertical Bridgman growth process from its current 67 mm diameter boule size to 92 mm diameter boules. Promising initial results from the large diameter boule growth process will be shown. The 92 mm diameter CdZnTe boule (6 kg charge) shows two predominant single crystal grains encompassing 75% of boule volume. Defect characterization of boules grown under baseline and modified conditions is discussed.     

Highly active Cu-ZnO catalysts for the WGS reaction at medium–high space velocities: Effect of the support composition

Cu-ZnO based catalysts are the benchmark materials for the low-temperature WGS reaction. However, they present a crucial drawback which limits their application in portable devices: they only work under very low space velocities. In this study, we have developed a series of multicomponent Cu-ZnO catalysts able to work at relatively high space velocities with outstanding activity and stability. Different reference supports have been utilised with CeO₂-Al₂O₃ being the most promising system. Overall, this work describes a strategy to design advanced Cu-based catalysts that can overcome the residence time restrictions in the WGS reaction.     

The Applications of Satellite Based Remote Sensing Techniques in the Hydrological Assessment of Mine Water Supply and Management Systems

Mineral resources are often discovered in remote or mountainous areas where long-term hydrological records are either absent or limited. Satellite-based remote sensing techniques can provide indirect observations of phenomena of interest, such as rainfall depth, snow cover, evapotranspiration, and changes in groundwater levels. Quality and applicability of the data are limited by the spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution of images. Other limitations may arise from the algorithms used to interpret the data. Examples are provided on how new remote sensing has been used at sites owned by Barrick Gold Corporation. It should be stressed that, for the foreseeable future, remote sensing data can supplement, not replace, more traditional sources of information.     

ISSN exercise & sport nutrition review: research & recommendations

Sports nutrition is a constantly evolving field with hundreds of research papers published annually. For this reason, keeping up to date with the literature is often difficult. This paper is a five year update of the sports nutrition review article published as the lead paper to launch the JISSN in 2004 and presents a well-referenced overview of the current state of the science related to how to optimize training and athletic performance through nutrition. More specifically, this paper provides an overview of: 1.) The definitional category of ergogenic aids and dietary supplements; 2.) How dietary supplements are legally regulated; 3.) How to evaluate the scientific merit of nutritional supplements; 4.) General nutritional strategies to optimize performance and enhance recovery; and, 5.) An overview of our current understanding of the ergogenic value of nutrition and dietary supplementation in regards to weight gain, weight loss, and performance enhancement. Our hope is that ISSN members and individuals interested in sports nutrition find this review useful in their daily practice and consultation with their clients.