Cosmic microwave background constraints on coupled dark matter

We study CMB constraints on a model with a cosmological constant and a fraction of dark matter non-minimally coupled to a massless scalar field. In this scenario, there is an extra gravity-like fifth force which can affect the evolution of the Universe enough to have a discernible effect on measurements of cosmological parameters. Using Planck and WMAP polarisation data, we find that up to half of the dark matter can be coupled. The coupling can also be several times larger than in models with a single species of cold dark matter coupled to a quintessence scalar field, as the scalar field does not play the role of dark energy and is therefore less constrained by the data.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

A Whole-of-Government Approach to Reducing Tropical Deforestation

Tropical forests provide critical global and local ecosystem services and habitat for many of the world’s plants and animals. Their loss threatens the sustainable economic growth and social stability of developing countries, and illegal deforestation abroad places U.S. producers at an unfair disadvantage. For these and other reasons, the United States has long been engaged in programs to reduce forest loss. This engagement has recently increased, with the new Presidential Global Climate Change Initiative including a pillar dedicated to slowing forest loss. While promising, this new funding and coordination is insufficient, with a narrow focus on climate-based development assistance. Engaging the full suite of forest policy levers in the federal government, or taking a “whole-of-government” approach, would provide greater immediate impact in preventing forest loss while building the foundations of a working landscape ethic. In this discussion paper, we explore the opportunities to expand U.S. contributions to reducing tropical deforestation through this approach. A whole-of-government approach to international deforestation consists of coordinating and focusing the programs across the federal government that could reduce the rate of tropical forest loss. It is an integrated strategy that employs existing activities and authorities of the U.S. government and directs them under an overarching goal of reducing deforestation in tropical forest countries, while continuing to support other developing-country goals, such as economic development, health, food security, and biodiversity. We identify three major areas where policy adjustments and actions by relevant authorities can have immediate and tangible impact on reducing deforestation.tropical deforestation, forest conservation, U.S. policy, REDD, reducing emissions from deforestation, whole-of-government, environment and trade, forest policy

A Bridge over Troubled Water: \u3cem\u3eLe tombeau de Couperin\u3c/em\u3e

Le tombeau de Couperin was composed during a turbulent time in the life of Ravel, a time when he had been emotionally scarred from the effects of war and had lost both his mother and many of his close friends. This composition may have served as the only friend whom Ravel felt comfortable enough to share with his innermost feelings. Autobiographical in nature, this piece follows the transition from Ravel’s carefully nurtured childhood and youth to serious maturity in his post-war adult life. There is personal emotional depth found in this piece, although at first it may appear somewhat hidden behind the classically ordered form and impressionistic harmony. Le tombeau, begun in 1914 and finished in 1917, serves as a bridge between Ravel’s pre- and post-war music

A study of the enzymatic hydrolysis of fish frames using model systems

A model system was employed to study the operating conditions and primary parameters of enzymic hydrolysis of cod proteins. Pancreatin, papain, and bromelain were used to hydrolyse minced cod fillets under controlled conditions and with the rate of hydrolysis being continually monitored via both the pH-stat and TNBS method. The two methods were compared and evaluated. The rate of protein solubilisation was plotted against the degree of hydrolysis (DH). Dry fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) powders having short, medium and high degrees of hydrolysis (DH of approximately 8%, 11% and 16% respectively) were produced and analysed for their molecular weight distribution, using size exclusion chromatography. Almost complete protein solubilisation (75 g soluble protein per kg hydrolysis solution) could be achieved within an hour, at 40°C, at 1% enzyme/substrate ratio (w/w) with papain and bromelain. The pH-stat was found capable of continuously following the rate of hydrolysis but only at low DH. The TNBS could be accurately used even at high DH to estimate the percentage of the peptide bonds cleaved, but required chemical analysis of withdrawn samples

Enzymatic hydrolysis of fish frames using pilot plant scale systems

Papain was used to hydrolyse fish frames under controlled conditions at a batch-pilot plant scale-process, for the pro-duction of fish protein hydrolysates (FPH). Mass balance calculations were carried out so that the rate of hydrolysis, rate of protein solubilisation and yields could be estimated. Almost complete hydrolysis could be achieved in 1 hour, at 40°C, with no pH adjustment, at 0.5% (5 g·kg−1) enzyme to substrate ratio (E/S, were S is Kjeldahl protein) using whole fish frames (including heads and flaps). This was achieved both with the addition of water (1/1 to 2/1 frames/water) but more importantly from commercial considerations without the initial addition of water (after mincing of the fish mate-rial). The degree of protein solubilisation ranged between 71% - 86% w/w. Four different processes are described, namely: 1) a soluble spray-dried FPH powder; 2) a liquid FPH; 3) a partly soluble, spray dried FPH powder and; 4) a crude, drum-dried protein for animal consumption. The amino acid profile of the FPH was identical to that of the par-ent substrate (fish frames)

The impact of inadequate off-loading facilities in commercial office buildings. Upon freight efficiency and security in urban areas

Substantial impediments to freight efficiency and security exist in the “last mile” of the logistics supply chain in New York City’s Central Business District (CBD). The “last mile,” a largely invisible obstacle in the transportation infrastructure, is a euphemism for the activity that takes place in close proximity to the destination, or delivery point, of product ranging from pharmaceuticals to copy paper. The challenges shippers face in moving products and services to small and large business in New York City are representative of the freight mobility problems that occur in congested urban areas worldwide. In focus groups and interviews, carrier and shipper representatives repeatedly reported that inadequate off-loading facilities in commercial office buildings (COBs) were a major barrier to freight efficiency in New York’s CBD. These findings were supported in surveys completed by 82 property managers who provided information on their buildings’ age, size, composition of tenancy by industry, number and size of loading bays and the number and capacity of freight elevators. Time and motion studies of vehicular deliveries to loading docks at six COBs with floors ranging from 25-64 were carried out to determine dwell times and truck size. Despite a 300% increase in truck deliveries to COBs located in the CBD over the past twenty-five years, New York City has not revised zoning regulations for off-loading facilities since 1972. To that end, requirements for the number and size of loading bays and freight elevators in five major American cities were compared with those of New York City. It was found that loading bay requirements for New York City were the lowest of the cities surveyed. There were no requirements for freight elevators in the cities under study. Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, loading dock security, which was always a concern, became a major issue for COB property managers. This has lead to the imposition of more rigorous security procedures at many off-loading facilities that have increased the cost of moving goods into the CBD and doing business in New York. The formulation of guidelines for an appropriate number and size of loading bays and sufficient freight elevators and the development of strategies for retrofitting existing off-loading facilities will offer broad societal benefits that will increase freight efficiency and security and decrease energy consumption, onstreet congestion and air pollution