KP+ : Fixing Availability Issues on KP Ownership Transfer Protocols

Ownership Transfer Protocols for RFID allow transferring the rights over a tag from a current owner to a new owner in a secure and private way. Recently, Kapoor and Piramuthu have proposed two schemes which solve most of the security weaknesses detected in previously published protocols. However, this paper reviews this work and points out that such schemes still present some practical and security issues. We then propose some modifications in these protocols that overcome such problems

Distributed control of a fault tolerant modular multilevel inverter for direct-drive wind turbine grid interfacing

Modular generator and converter topologies are being pursued for large offshore wind turbines to achieve fault tolerance and high reliability. A centralized controller presents a single critical point of failure which has prevented a truly modular and fault tolerant system from being obtained. This study analyses the inverter circuit control requirements during normal operation and grid fault ride-through, and proposes a distributed controller design to allow inverter modules to operate independently of each other. All the modules independently estimate the grid voltage magnitude and position, and the modules are synchronised together over a CAN bus. The CAN bus is also used to interleave the PWM switching of the modules and synchronise the ADC sampling. The controller structure and algorithms are tested by laboratory experiments with respect to normal operation, initial synchronization to the grid, module fault tolerance and grid fault ride-through

Assessing retention and motivation of public health-care providers (particularly female providers) in rural Pakistan

The main objectives of this project in Pakistan were to explore the core issue of availability of health providers, especially female providers who are required for provision of maternal and neonatal healthcare, and to determine the range of factors that either constrain or motivate providers to serve in key positions in public facilities in rural areas. The study, conducted by the Population Council with funding from the Maternal and Newborn Health Programme ‐ Research and Advocacy Fund, identifies a number of problems faced by healthcare providers working in the public healthcare system in Pakistan and makes the following recommendations for consideration by policymakers: 1) ensure implementation of a “Human Resource for Health Management” system; 2) enforce strict adherence to organizational policies on recruitment, transfer, and promotion; 3) improve the physical work environment and ensure the availability of equipment, medicine, and supplies; and 4) put in place a national private practice regulation policy

End of Program Evaluation: 2011-13 'Countering Extremism, Promoting Peace & Religious Tolerance' Grants Program in Pakistan

USIP commissioned the evaluation of 07 grants as unified program named 'Countering Extremism and Promoting Peace and Religious Tolerance (CEPPRT)' to AAN Associates, an Islamabad based development consulting firm, specializing in evaluations (www.aanassociates.com). The evaluation is 'Formative' in nature with an expressed purpose to accumulate learning and inform future programming. Moreover, it expected evaluators to assess the USIP grants making processes and systems, recommend changes and facilitate USIP develop an enabling grants development and management system. The evaluation has been carried out using mixed method approach. The overall methodology for the evaluation was based upon a customized modification developed by the consultants of the Systems Dynamic Model (SDM) approach developed by William Ddembe1 . The approach was a practical adaptation of two management cycle models – the Waterfall Model (Sorensen, 1995), and the Research & Development Model (Murphy, 1989). The evaluators gathered relevant secondary and primary information by undertaking extensive secondary sources review and applying multiple yet complementary primary information techniques entailing key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and field visits

Greenhouse gas emissions in The Netherlands 1990-2012 : National Inventory Report 2014

In 2012 is de totale uitstoot van broeikasgassen van Nederland, zoals CO2, methaan en lachgas, met ongeveer 1,7 procent gedaald ten opzichte van 2011. Deze daling komt vooral door een lager brandstofgebruik in de energie- en transportsector. Dit lijkt een gevolg van de economische recessie, waardoor emissies door elektriciteitsproductie en het wegtransport in Nederland zijn afgenomen. Cijfers De totale broeikasgasemissie wordt uitgedrukt in CO2-equivalenten en bedraagt in 2012 191,7 teragram (megaton of miljard kilogram) . Ten opzichte van de uitstoot in het Kyoto-basisjaar (213,2 Tg CO2-equivalenten) is dit een afname van ongeveer 10 procent. Het basisjaar, dat afhankelijk van het broeikasgas 1990 of 1995 is, dient voor het Kyoto-protocol als referentie voor de uitstoot van broeikasgassen. De uitstoot van de overige broeikasgassen zoals lachgas en methaan is sinds het basisjaar met 51 procent afgenomen. De CO2-uitstoot daarentegen is in deze periode met 4 procent gestegen. Landen zijn voor het Kyoto-protocol verplicht om de totale uitstoot van broeikasgassen op twee manieren te rapporteren: met en zonder het soort landgebruik en de verandering daarin. Dit is namelijk van invloed op de uitstoot van broeikasgassen. Voorbeelden zijn natuurontwikkeling (dat CO2 bindt) of ontbossing (waardoor CO2 wordt uitgestoten). In bovengenoemde getallen zijn deze zogeheten LULUCF-emissies (Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry) niet meegenomen. Overige onderdelen inventarisatie Het RIVM stelt jaarlijks op verzoek van het Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Milieu (IenM) de inventarisatie van broeikasgasemissies op. De inventarisatie bevat trendanalyses om ontwikkelingen in de uitstoot van broeikasgassen tussen 1990 en 2012 te verklaren, en een analyse van de onzekerheid in deze getallen. Ook is aangegeven welke bronnen het meest aan deze onzekerheid bijdragen. Daarnaast biedt de inventarisatie documentatie van de gebruikte berekeningsmethoden, databronnen en toegepaste emissiefactoren. Met deze inventarisatie voldoet Nederland aan de nationale rapportageverplichtingen voor 2012 van het Klimaatverdrag van de Verenigde Naties (UNFCCC), van het Kyoto-Protocol en van het Bewakingsmechanisme Broeikasgassen van de Europese Unie.Total greenhouse gas emissions from the Netherlands in 2012 decreased by approximately 1.7 per cent, compared with 2011 emissions. This decrease is mainly the result of decreased fuel combustion in the Energy sector (increased electricity import) and in road transport. In 2012, total direct greenhouse gas emissions (excluding emissions from LULUCF - land use, land use change and forestry) in the Netherlands amounted to 191.7 Tg CO2 eq. This is approximately 10 per cent below the emissions in the base year (213.2 Tg CO2 eq.). The 51% reduction in the non-CO2 emissions in this period is counterbalanced by 4 per cent increase in CO2 emissions since 1990. This report documents the Netherlands' 2014 annual submission of its greenhouse gas emissions inventory in accordance with the guidelines provided by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol and the European Union's Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Mechanism. The report comprises explanations of observed trends in emissions; a description of an assessment of key sources and their uncertainty; documentation of methods, data sources and emission factors applied; and a description of the quality assurance system and the verification activities performed on the data.Ministerie van I&

Forest biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services

Forests are critical habitats for biodiversity and they are also essential for the provision of a wide range of ecosystem services that are important to human well-being. There is increasing evidence that biodiversity contributes to forest ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services. Here we provide a review of forest ecosystem services including biomass production, habitat provisioning services, pollination, seed dispersal, resistance to wind storms, fire regulation and mitigation, pest regulation of native and invading insects, carbon sequestration, and cultural ecosystem services, in relation to forest type, structure and diversity. We also consider relationships between forest biodiversity and multifunctionality, and trade-offs among ecosystem services. We compare the concepts of ecosystem processes, functions and services to clarify their definitions. Our review of published studies indicates a lack of empirical studies that establish quantitative and causal relationships between forest biodiversity and many important ecosystem services. The literature is highly skewed; studies on provisioning of nutrition and energy, and on cultural services, delivered by mixed-species forests are under-represented. Planted forests offer ample opportunity for optimising their composition and diversity because replanting after harvesting is a recurring process. Planting mixed-species forests should be given more consideration as they are likely to provide a wider range of ecosystem services within the forest and for adjacent land uses. This review also serves as the introduction to this special issue of Biodiversity and Conservation on various aspects of forest biodiversity and ecosystem services

Ex Vivo Effects Of Water Extracts Of Sericea Lespedeza On Cow, Sheep And Goat Blood

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a water extract of Sericea Lespedeza (SL), the lipid raft inhibitor NYS and known pathogen associated molecular patterns (LPS and PGN) on gene activation in ruminant (cow, sheep and goat) blood. Sericea Lespedeza, a high tannin containing legume has been shown to be a useful component of feed for control of gastro intestinal nematodes in ruminants. Blood was collected from four adult female Holstein Friesian cows (N=4), Spanish x Boer goats (N=4) and St Croix sheep (N=4) and incubated with 100 ng /mL-1 of SL in the presence and absence of LPS, PGN or NYS. Whole blood was also incubated with 100 ng mL-1 ng/ml of LPS, PGN or NYS without addition of SL. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) served as negative control. Total protein concentration, migration pattern, secretion of WNT5a, TLR2 and prostaglandin E2 alpha in plasma was also determined. Total RNA was isolated from cells using Trizol. Samples with RNA integrity number \u3e7 were used for cDNA synthesis. Transcription of TLR2, TLR4, WNT, FZD, β catenin, TNFα and GAPDH was evaluated in cow, sheep and goat blood. The effect of Nystatin on expression of 84 genes on the cow WNT signaling pathway and human innate and adaptive immunity arrays was assessed in cow blood using real time PCR. Fold change in transcript abundance was calculated using the Livak method. Agarose gel electrophoresis and ethidium bromide staining was used to visualize amplicons. TLR2 and FZD were up regulated in response to PAMPS. Species specific gene expression and modulation by PAMPS was observed. Water extracts of SL reduced PGE2a in sheep and cows. Transcription and translation of genes involved in innate and adaptive immunity and the WNT signaling pathway in ruminant blood is responsive to diverse PAMPS and can be modulated by SL

Carbon Capture and Storage the Clean Development Mechanism : Underlying Regulatory and Risk Management Issues

Owing to the immediate nature of global warming, some countries like those in the EU indicate that up to 30% of their mitigation strategy for 2050 should be CCS technology based. The need to diversify and use different approaches within climate change mitigation mix cannot be overstated; hence technologies that contribute to the overall mitigation strategy must be in tandem as each has a role to play. Contingent on this therefore, is the need to consider different but equally important factors along with the technologies being used, their strategic locations and other resources needed to bring about the climate change mitigation. To this end, it is expedient that the search for the appropriate jurisdictions with adequate regulatory and correct geological profiles should not be undermined by restricting advanced technological climate change mitigation strategies to developed or economically/technologically advanced countries. The spread to include nations hitherto not economically or technologically advanced but have the potential and capacity either in terms of geology, or proximity to carbon emission sources or other viable resources should be encouraged due to the urgency needed to abate climate change effects nationally and globally. Suffice to say, such jurisdictions need to develop the right regulatory and policy frameworks in order to be fit for purpose. The uniqueness of this thesis underscores these observations by research into different risk indicators and strategies such as risk assessment and management, exploring the potential CCS-CDM linkage using regulatory/legal and risk indicators, identifying and analysing the regulatory, legal elements and the geological profiling vis-à-vis analogous operations in the implementation of CCS under CDM Kyoto Protocol in a Non Annex 1 country using Nigeria as a case study country; and finally point to tentative means of linking CCS and CDM

The Maputo Corridor : politics and pragmatic development in Southern Africa

The Maputo Corridor is the most significant development project undertaken by the South African government since 1994. The Corridor is an extremely complex project, bringing together a variety of actors from South Africa, Mozambique, and beyond. The project includes the rehabilitation and upgrading of major transport and communications infrastructure between Witbank and Maputo, institutional reform to expedite border-crossing, and incentives for labour-intensive investment in the areas adjacent to the Corridor. The Maputo Corridor is also the first build-operate- transfer highway in the region. The Maputo Corridor is a valid and fascinating subject for political inquiry because it provides insight into the new South African government's priorities and ideological stance. Research on the Corridor also contributes to our understanding of political power structures in the region. The primary goal of this dissertation was to come to an understanding of why and how the Maputo Corridor developed. Research was designed to test popular hypotheses from the South African media. These hypotheses were (1) that the Corridor was designed to isolate Gauteng from potential transport-based blackmail by the IFP and (2) that the Corridor was sponsored and directed by the leaders of Mpumalanga Province. This dissertation is composed of four main sections. First, the historical context of the Corridor starting in the 19th century is investigated. Repetitive historical themes with relevance for the present are identified. Second, the leaders and managers of the corridor project are pinpointed. Third, strategic motivations for the corridor in the current political environment are studied. The fourth part consists of an investigation of the means used to implement the Corridor. Several sources of information were used. These sources included indepth interviews with the Corridor's stakeholders, primary documentation, and secondary published sources

‘Opening up’ geoengineering appraisal: Deliberative Mapping of options for tackling climate change

Deliberate large-scale interventions in the Earth’s climate system, known collectively as climate ‘geoengineering’, have been proposed in order to moderate anthropogenic climate change. A host of normative rationales for geoengineering has led to a growing number of appraisals to evaluate the different proposals and provide decision support. This thesis critically reviews current appraisals of geoengineering before developing and executing its own appraisal methodology in response to their limitations. These limitations concern: (1) the appraisal of geoengineering proposals in ‘contextual isolation’ of alternative options for tackling climate change; (2) inadequate methodological responses to the ‘post-normal’ scientific context in which climate change and geoengineering resides; and (3) a premature ‘closing down’ upon particular geoengineering proposals, principally stratospheric aerosol injection, through the exertion of power via framings. This thesis exhibits the findings of an ‘upstream’ participatory appraisal of geoengineering called Deliberative Mapping; an innovative analytic-deliberative methodology designed to ‘open up’ appraisal inputs and outputs to a broader diversity of framings, knowledges and future pathways. A diversity of international experts and stakeholders from across academia, civil society, industry and government, and of sociodemographically representative citizens from Norfolk (UK), were engaged using a combination of analytic Multi-Criteria Mapping specialist interviews and deliberative citizens’ panels, as well as a joint specialists-citizens workshop. The results present a radically different view to other appraisals of geoengineering, where: (1) geoengineering proposals are most often outperformed by mitigation options, with stratospheric aerosol injection ranking particularly poorly; (2) a greater diversity of perspectives and assessment criteria spanning the natural, applied and social sciences reveals considerable uncertainties in all areas of research and decision making; and (3) four propositions for governance emerge that advance sociotechnical foresight, technology control and public consent, the anticipation and alleviation of impacts, a demonstration of robustness, and ultimately, the responsible innovation of geoengineering