Noise Correlation in Cosmic Microwave Background Experiments

Many analyses of microwave background experiments neglect the correlation of noise in different frequency or polarization channels. We show that these correlations, should they be present, can lead to severe misinterpretation of an experiment. In particular, correlated noise arising from either electronics or atmosphere may mimic a cosmic signal. We quantify how the likelihood function for a given experiment varies with noise correlation, using both simple analytic models and actual data. For a typical microwave background anisotropy experiment, noise correlations at the level of 1\% of the overall noise can seriously {\it reduce} the significance of a given detection.Comment: Analysis generalized; conclusions unaltere

Three-dimensional computed tomography from interferometric measurements within a narrow cone of views

A theory to determine the properties of a fluid from measurements of its projections was developed and tested. Viewing cones as small as 10 degrees were evaluated, with the only assumption being that the property was space limited. The results of applying the theory to numerical and actual interferograms of a spherical discontinuity of refractive index are presented. The theory was developed to test the practicality and limits of using three-dimensional computer tomography in internal fluid dynamics

Homeownership, Social Capital and Parental Voice in Schooling

We use New Zealand school board of trustees data to examine whether schools where parents have high rates of homeownership experience high parental voting turnout in elections. We also investigate whether homeownership influences the probability that a school board proceeds to election, indicating parental willingness to serve as a school trustee. Similarly, we examine whether state-owned social housing rates affect these outcomes. We compile results initially without controlling for other factors, and then controlling for a wide range of other characteristics, to test the robustness of simple observed associations between homeownership and state-ownership rates and outcome variables. Our findings show no discernible effect of homeownership on parental voting turnout in school elections after controls are added (contrary to the simple positive association), but a (robust) positive impact of both homeownership and state-ownership rates on the probability that a school holds an election.homeownership, school elections, parental voice, social capital

Discovery of the Skull of a Grizzly Bear in Labrador

The skull of a small, young adult grizzly bear was discovered in the course of archaeological excavation of an early historic Eskimo house in northern Labrador. This discovery confirms the rumoured presence of Ursus arctos in Labrador in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It is suggested that the Labrador grizzly represents an eastward extension of the barren-ground grizzly population across the mouth of Hudson Bay

The Relationship between Thai Culture and the Learning and Teaching of English in North-eastern Thailand

This research explores the relationship between Thai culture and the learning and teaching of English in north-eastern Thailand, by focusing on the adoption of learner-centeredness in the English language classroom, and whether it is mediated by Thai culture. This qualitative study employs observations, and individual/group interviews, using a socio-cultural framework to investigate primary school teachers’ perceptions of learner-centered teaching, how they implement learner-centeredness in the classroom and how this is negotiated by Thai culture. In addition, students’ perceptions of their learning preferences, and how they relate to learner-centeredness are both investigated in relation to Thai culture. The research findings reveal that most Thai teachers of English taking part in this investigation were able to demonstrate aspects of learner-centered teaching, for example, engaging students, varied use of content, a learner-centered environment, some student autonomy, and assessment to reach student goals; however, they were not particularly adept at explaining theory during their interviews. Teachers highlighted a lack of confidence, a perceived deficit of pronunciation ability and the lack of opportunities to use English outside the classroom as having an influence on their effectiveness. In addition, a shortage of qualified English teachers, and excessive extracurricular activities in schools were also emphasised as having an impact. Furthermore, the students liked to learn English by singing songs and playing games, and preferred their teacher marking their work, and working in groups, although teachers believed that their students also lacked confidence in using English. This research has possible implications for teacher training, in that there may be a requirement for Thai culture, as well as the local context, to be taken into consideration when implementing educational change, including the involvement of all stakeholders in the educational process if it is to succeed

Displacement Data Assimilation

We show that modifying a Bayesian data assimilation scheme by incorporating kinematically-consistent displacement corrections produces a scheme that is demonstrably better at estimating partially observed state vectors in a setting where feature information important. While the displacement transformation is not tied to any particular assimilation scheme, here we implement it within an ensemble Kalman Filter and demonstrate its effectiveness in tracking stochastically perturbed vortices.Comment: 26 Pages, 9 figures, 5 table

The reciprocal nature of organizational sponsorship : how family and non-family parent firms sponsor their spinoffs

Fewer than 50% of new ventures last more than 5 years, yet entrepreneurial activity remains the life blood of economic activity among nations (Aldrich & Ruef, 2006). Governments, organizations and firms have established initiatives and incentives which foster and protect new ventures as a form of sponsorship. Yet since Flynn’s (1993a,b,c) pioneering work on organizational sponsorship, relatively little work has been conducted on how parent firms, whether family owned or not, sponsor new ventures, with the exception of research on incubators (e.g. Amezcua et al, 2013)