Multiscale Effects on Spatial Variability Metrics in Global Water Resources Data

Spatial scales and methods for dealing with scale have been widely discussed in the water resources literature. Different spatial processes operate at different scales so interpretations based on data from one scale may not apply to another. Understanding the behavior of phenomena at multiple-scales of data aggregation is thus imperative to accurate integrations of data and models at different geographic resolutions. This study tests theoretical concepts of scale by presenting empirical results of multiscale GIS and statistical analyses on gridded water-availability, water use and population data for the Danube Basin in Europe, with results corroborated by similar tests in the Ganges (South Asia) and Missouri (North America) Basins. Fine-resolution datasets were aggregated to coarser grid sizes and standard statistical measures of spatial variability were computed. Statistical analysis of spatial variability demonstrated two distinctly different cases for unscaled and scaled variables. Results show that variance (and standard deviation) in unscaled variables like freshwater supply, use and population increases at coarser scales—contrary to the common assumption of decreasing variability as grid-cell size increases. On the other hand, a decreasing trend in variability with scale is noted for variables scaled to area or population (like population density, water availability per capita etc.). Moreover, relationships between variability and scale show strong non-linear trends. No mention of these relationships has been found in the water resources or socio-economic literature for scale and variability. Regression analyses suggest that power functions are the most appropriate model to fit trends in increasing variability at multiple scales. These results can be applied to interpretations of water-stress and water scarcity data and their locations relative to water sources or topographic barriers.     

Hydrogen atom absorption in hydrogen-covered Pd(110) (1 × 2) missing-row surface

The absorption of H atom in H-covered Pd(110) (1 × 2) missing-row surface is investigated using density functional theory based calculations. For 1.5 monolayer H coverage, interaction among the adsorbed H atoms is found to be negligible and was verified by analyzing the electronic structure of the system and by comparing the calculated binding energies with low H coverage case. Neither the monoatomic absorption of H nor the assistance from the initially adsorbed H atom explains the experimentally observed presence of subsurface H in Pd(110) at high H coverage. Instead, H absorption is realized through the assistance of incoming H atoms from vacuum. The absorption of H in the H-covered surface is non-activated while the dissociation of H₂ is the rate-limiting process. Dissociation on ridge site is energetically more preferred than on trough site and the difference in the activation barrier is elucidated by investigating the electronic structures of the system.     

Isogeometric shape optimization of vibrating membranes

We consider a model problem of isogeometric shape optimization of vibrating membranes whose shapes are allowed to vary freely. The main obstacle we face is the need for robust and inexpensive extension of a B-spline parametrization from the boundary of a domain onto its interior, a task which has to be performed in every optimization iteration. We experiment with two numerical methods (one is based on the idea of constructing a quasi-conformal mapping, whereas the other is based on a spring-based mesh model) for carrying out this task, which turn out to work sufficiently well in the present situation. We perform a number of numerical experiments with our isogeometric shape optimization algorithm and present smooth, optimized membrane shapes. Our conclusion is that isogeometric analysis fits well with shape optimization.     

Lycopene extraction from extruded products containing tomato skin

To determine the lycopene content of extruded products containing 10% tomato skin, the conditions for solvent extraction were optimised. After three extraction cycles at 50 °C each for 15 min at a solvent to meal ratio of 40:1, a maximum of 6.6 ppm lycopene was extracted. However, the extraction was considered incomplete, thus the product was digested by pancreatin prior to extraction. The extracted lycopene content was increased to 23.5 ppm using the optimum conditions of 20 min of digestion with 10 mg mL^?1 pancreatin. To validate the extraction efficiency at optimum conditions, a set of extruded products containing different lycopene concentrations was used. Digestion increased the extracted lycopene content by more than 2.5‐fold between the products. Furthermore, this inclusion significantly improved the correlation coefficient between the red colour and the extracted lycopene content. Therefore, including a digestion step prior to extraction by solvents was necessary to efficiently extract lycopene from extruded products.     

Getting the Most from Data Center Service Agreements

Abstract

Although a key section of the Communications Decency Act was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1997, this law covering content distribution over telecommunications and network devices is still in effect. This column looks at the provisions that IS managers must pay attention to.     

Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC) and Cell-Free DNA (cfDNA) Workshop 2016: Scientific Opportunities and Logistics for Cancer Clinical Trial Incorporation

Despite the identification of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as potential blood-based biomarkers capable of providing prognostic and predictive information in cancer, they have not been incorporated into routine clinical practice. This resistance is due in part to technological limitations hampering CTC and cfDNA analysis, as well as a limited understanding of precisely how to interpret emergent biomarkers across various disease stages and tumor types. In recognition of these challenges, a group of researchers and clinicians focused on blood-based biomarker development met at the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) Spring Meeting in Toronto, Canada on 29 April 2016 for a workshop discussing novel CTC/cfDNA technologies, interpretation of data obtained from CTCs versus cfDNA, challenges regarding disease evolution and heterogeneity, and logistical considerations for incorporation of CTCs/cfDNA into clinical trials, and ultimately into routine clinical use. The objectives of this workshop included discussion of the current barriers to clinical implementation and recent progress made in the field, as well as fueling meaningful collaborations and partnerships between researchers and clinicians. We anticipate that the considerations highlighted at this workshop will lead to advances in both basic and translational research and will ultimately impact patient management strategies and patient outcomes.     

Energy storage in the UK electrical network: Estimation of the scale and review of technology options

This paper aims to clarify the difference between stores of energy in the form of non-rechargeable stores of energy such as fossil-fuels, and the storage of electricity by devices that are rechargeable. The existing scale of these two distinct types of storage is considered in the UK context, followed by a review of rechargeable technology options. The storage is found to be overwhelmingly contained within the fossil-fuel stores of conventional generators, but their scale is thought to be determined by the risks associated with long supply chains and price variability. The paper also aims to add to the debate regarding the need to have more flexible supply and demand available within the UK electrical network in order to balance the expected increase of wind derived generation. We conclude that the decarbonisation challenge facing the UK electricity sector should be seen not only as a supply and demand challenge but also as a storage challenge.     

Web-conference supervision for advanced psychotherapy training: A practical guide.

The advent of readily accessible, inexpensive Web-conferencing applications has opened the door for distance psychotherapy supervision, using video recordings of treated clients. Although relatively new, this method of supervision is advantageous given the ease of use and low cost of various Internet applications. This method allows periodic supervision from point to point around the world, with no travel costs and no long gaps between direct training contacts. Web-conferencing permits face-to-face training so that the learner and supervisor can read each other's emotional responses while reviewing case material. It allows group learning from direct supervision to complement local peer-to-peer learning methods. In this article, we describe the relevant literature on this type of learning method, the practical points in its utilization, its limitations, and its benefits. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)