Current collection by high voltage anodes in near ionospheric conditions

The authors experimentally identified three distinct regimes with large differences in current collection in the presence of neutrals and weak magnetic fields. In magnetic field/anode voltage space the three regions are separated by very sharp transition boundaries. The authors performed a series of laboratory experiments to study the dependence of the region boundaries on several parameters, such as the ambient neutral density, plasma density, magnetic field strength, applied anode voltage, voltage pulsewidth, chamber material, chamber size and anode radius. The three observed regimes are: classical magnetic field limited collection; stable medium current toroidal discharge; and large scale, high current space glow discharge. There is as much as several orders of magnitude of difference in the amount of collected current upon any boundary crossing, particularly if one enters the space glow regime. They measured some of the properties of the plasma generated by the breakdown that is present in regimes II and III in the vicinity of the anode including the sheath modified electrostatic potential, I-V characteristics at high voltage as well as the local plasma density

The Future Of The Valuation Profession

The aim of this research was to explore the future of the property profession generally and the role of the Valuer in particular, and how the profession could maintain and increase relevance and currency, and set an agenda to support employers in attracting and retaining a more diverse talent pool to run the businesses of the future. This report presents the findings of the research project that investigates extant literature on the issues and challenges faced by the current valuation profession

The future of the Australian valuation profession: New knowledge, emerging trends and practices

© 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose: Valuers face significant challenges as processes become automated and the role evolves to data handling and processing. To survive and thrive, valuers must respond to a changing market. The purpose of this paper is to examine the issues, threats and challenges facing the Australian profession, though the issues are global. Design/methodology/approach: This qualitative research sought a deeper understanding of the threats, challenges and new areas of practice that Australian valuers were experiencing. A focus group approach was designed to collect data from practitioners in Sydney and Melbourne. The research aimed to identify new knowledge and skills for the future and emerging trends and practices. Findings: The key issues, threats and challenges faced included increasing use of automated valuation models for low-risk residential valuations, valuers being unable to protect themselves against the banks, loss of control of the data and valuations. In total, 12 knowledge domains and skills required in the future were established and ten emerging trends and practices were identified. Research limitations/implications: The key limitations were that participants were from Melbourne and Sydney in Australia only and the focus is NSW and Victoria centric, although many participants have international work experience. There was an under representation of rural valuers, of small valuation firms, of young, recently joined or qualified valuers and females. Practical implications: The findings inform a manifesto for the future which sets out the practical implications for valuers and the professional body. This action plan sets the new knowledge domains, practices and trends that can be adopted by the profession and its members. Originality/value: This is the original research and highlights some real threats, issues and challenges facing the Australian valuers. It complements work undertaken by legal and accounting professional bodies, which sense change affecting their membership and services. A manifesto for action has been outlined to address the changes that are coming and those already here

COWORKING: THE NEW DESIGN OF WORKPLACES

Globalisation of business, innovative technologies and increase in knowledge-based industries have had significant impacts on organisations’ business practices. This has subsequently affected the demand for space in built-facilities. As a result, the demand for flexible office space solutions such as coworking, or provision of communal, flexible office spaces on a short-term basis, have become a rapidly growing phenomenon. By conducting a case study analyses of two large property trusts in Australia, this research paper examines how the office layouts and configurations are adapted in coworking spaces to facilitate such innovative spaces. Findings identify that the main design strategies for coworking spaces are to enhance space autonomy, create communities, facilitate collaboration, create spontaneous encounters, create multi-purpose and multi-generational spaces, create productive work environments and reduce individual workplace footprints. The research findings emphasise the importance of having more dynamic and creative office layouts and configurations that are better aligned with the interests of landlords, space operators and diverse groups of office space users in flexible office arrangements

Efficacy of depression treatments for immigrant patients: Results from a systematic review

Background: The unprecedented rates of global migration present unique challenges to mental health services in migrant receiving countries to provide efficacious and culturally salient treatment for mental health conditions including depression. This review aimed to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of depression interventions specifically directed towards first-generation immigrant populations.Methods: We conducted a systematic review of original research published between 2000 and 2013 that investigated depression interventions in first generation immigrants.Results: Fifteen studies were included; the majority focused on Latino immigrants living in the United States (US). Twelve studies investigated the use of psychotherapies; the remainder examined collaborative care models and physical exercise-based interventions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Behavioral Activation tended to improve depressive symptoms, especially when culturally adapted to suit clients while Problem Solving Therapy improved depressive symptomology with and without adaptations. Collaborative care and exercise did not significantly improve depressive symptoms.Conclusion: Depression may be effectively treated by means of psychotherapies, especially when treatments are culturally adapted. However the reviewed studies were limited due to methodological weaknesses and were predominantly undertaken in the US with Latino patients. To improve generalizability, future research should be undertaken in non-US settings, amongst diverse ethnic groups and utilize larger sample sizes in either randomized clinical trials or observational cohort studies. © 2014 Antoniades et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Meeting Changing Industry Expectations From Australian Property Valuation Graduates

The valuation profession faces significant challenges as more valuation processes become automated, and the role of the valuer becomes more one of data handling than an economic analyst. To respond to industry needs, the role of the valuer must change. It follows that there is a need for universities to re-evaluate their existing property curricula, modifying content where necessary, to prepare their graduates better for a changing workforce. Employing a series of focus group discussions with valuation practitioners, this study examined specific industry expectations and provides recommendations to strategically align Australian property curricula with industry expectations in order to maintain the relevance of property education. The study identified personal, technical and business-related skills that are essential for graduates to possess. The roles of the professional bodies, industry/employers and educators to meet the changing demand on the profession are identified. Changes are required to degree programme content in respect of digital technologies and statistical skills. Whilst the universities offer a curriculum that adheres to the accreditation requirements of the professional bodies, there is also a need to incorporate specialised knowledge with set pathways. The need for students to have practical experience is apparent and undertaking placements with assessment that could be credited as part of the degree is recommended. The study highlights the need for a careful analysis of student learning experience to ensure that graduate skills meet the industry expectations, and that graduates themselves are able to adapt to future changes

THE RISE OF COWORKING AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS ON TRADITIONAL LEASING MODELS

Coworking, or provision of communal, flexible office spaces on a short-term basis, is a rapidly growing phenomenon in the modern office markets. Coworking was initially driven by the preferences of freelancers, knowledge workers and start-up communities; however more recently the industry has targeted large corporate organisations as their new path of growth. Many landlords are being challenged by this growing demand for flexible, collaborative spaces, and are increasingly looking at how to leverage the benefits of including such spaces within their portfolio. For coworking spaces, landlords are required to revisit traditional lease structures and introduce more creative, alternative means of leasing in order to facilitate new leasing options that provide greater ability to manage volatile headcounts. This conceptual paper analyses the existing literature to identify alternative lease models that can facilitate the growing demand for flexible, scalable and collaborative spaces. The findings identify flex and core leasing model, revenue and profit share model, city campus model, joint venture model and management model as appropriate alternative lease and operating structures for coworking spaces. The findings also identify the advantages and challenges associated with each lease model from the landlord’s point of view. The findings emphasise the importance of having more dynamic and creative lease structures that are better aligned with the interests of landlords, space operators and diverse groups of office space users in flexible office arrangements

Increased Expression of Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte-Associated Protein 4 by T Cells, Induced by B7 in Sera, Reduces Adaptive Immunity in Patients With Acute Liver Failure.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Patients with acute liver failure (ALF) have defects in innate immune responses to microbes (immune paresis) and are susceptible to sepsis. Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4), which interacts with the membrane receptor B7 (also called CD80 and CD86), is a negative regulator of T-cell activation. We collected T cells from patients with ALF and investigated whether inhibitory signals down-regulate adaptive immune responses in patients with ALF. METHODS: We collected peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with ALF and controls from September 2013 through September 2015 (45 patients with ALF, 20 patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure, 15 patients with cirrhosis with no evidence of acute decompensation, 20 patients with septic shock but no cirrhosis or liver disease, and 20 healthy individuals). Circulating CD4+ T cells were isolated and analyzed by flow cytometry. CD4+ T cells were incubated with antigen, or agonist to CD3 and dendritic cells, with or without antibody against CTLA4; T-cell proliferation and protein expression were quantified. We measured levels of soluble B7 molecules in supernatants of isolated primary hepatocytes, hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells, and biliary epithelial cells from healthy or diseased liver tissues. We also measured levels of soluble B7 serum samples from patients and controls, and mice with acetaminophen-induced liver injury using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: Peripheral blood samples from patients with ALF had a higher proportion of CD4+ CTLA4+ T cells than controls; patients with infections had the highest proportions. CD4+ T cells from patients with ALF had a reduced proliferative response to antigen or CD3 stimulation compared to cells from controls; incubation of CD4+ T cells from patients with ALF with an antibody against CTLA4 increased their proliferative response to antigen and to CD3 stimulation, to the same levels as cells from controls. CD4+ T cells from controls up-regulated expression of CTLA4 after 24-48 hours culture with sera from patients with ALF; these sera were found to have increased concentrations of soluble B7 compared to sera from controls. Necrotic human primary hepatocytes exposed to acetaminophen, but not hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells and biliary epithelial cells from patients with ALF, secreted high levels of soluble B7. Sera from mice with acetaminophen-induced liver injury contained high levels of soluble B7 compared to sera from mice without liver injury. Plasma exchange reduced circulating levels of soluble B7 in patients with ALF and expression of CTLA4 on T cells. CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral CD4+ T cells from patients with ALF have increased expression of CTLA4 compared to individuals without ALF; these cells have a reduced response to antigen and CD3 stimulation. We found sera of patients with ALF and from mice with liver injury to have high concentrations of soluble B7, which up-regulates CTLA4 expression by T cells and reduces their response to antigen. Plasma exchange reduces levels of B7 in sera from patients with ALF and might be used to restore antimicrobial responses to patients

Natural Suppression of Higgsino-Mediated Proton Decay in Supersymmetric SO(10)

In supersymmetric Grand Unified Theories, proton decay mediated by the color--triplet higgsino is generally problematic and requires some fine--tuning of parameters. We present a mechanism which naturally suppresses such dimension 5 operators in the context of SUSY $SO(10)$. The mechanism, which implements natural doublet--triplet splitting using the adjoint higgs, converts these dimension 5 operators effectively into dimension 6. By explicitly computing the higgs spectrum and the resulting threshold uncertainties we show that the successful prediction of $\sin^2\theta_W$ is maintained {\it as a prediction} in this scheme. It is argued that only a weak suppression of the higgsino mediated proton decay is achievable within SUSY $SU(5)$ without fine--tuning, in contrast to a strong suppression in SUSY $SO(10)$.Comment: 39 pages (3 Feynman graphs not included), in Plain LaTeX, BA-93-2

Wave Energy Amplification in a Metamaterial based Traveling Wave Structure

We consider the interaction between a particle beam and a propagating electromagnetic wave in the presence of a metamaterial. We show that the introduction of a metamaterial gives rise to a novel dispersion curve which determines a unique wave particle relationship, via the frequency dependence of the metamaterial and the novel ability of metamaterials to exhibit simultaneous negative permittivity and permeability. Using a modified form of Madey's theorem we find that the novel dispersion of the metamaterial leads to a amplification of the EM wave power