Line narrowing of AgGaSe2 optical parametric oscillator by injection seeding

Solid-state lasers are developed for atmospheric applications. Optical parametric oscillators (OPO) are being investigated as sources of tunable radiation in the 2.5-12 micron range where development of conventional lasers is subject to numerous difficulties. Parametric oscillation is a nonlinear optical technique for converting laser output to longer wavelengths. Incident photons, typically from a pulsed pump laser, are converted into two photons of longer wavelength, while satisfying energy conservation. The particular split of energy is determined by momentum conservation; the wavelength of interest is usually selected by angle orientation of the nonlinear material with respect to the direction of propagation of the pump beam. An OPO based on AgGaSe2 was considered

The phylogenetics and evolution of Africa's larks (Alaudidae)

Includes bibliographical references.The larks are a group of dull coloured birds that are conservative in plumage coloration and pattern due to the requirements for camouflage in open habitats. Because many species inhabit structurally similar habitats the group is also characterised by a great deal of morphological convergence. Variation in plumage and morphology is frequently as great within species as it is between species, leading to many inconsistent and controversial taxonomic treatments and classifications at an intra- and inter-generic level, and when defining specific and sub-specific boundaries. The advent of genetic techniques and success at applying these to species complexes in southern Africa suggested that a molecular phylogeny of the family would elucidate relationships that could not be determined via traditional taxonomic practices. In this study 2009 nucleotides of two mitochondrial DNA genes, cytochrome b and 16S rRNA (Chapter 2), and 2872 nucleotides of the nuclear exon RAG-l (Chapter 3) were used to generate a robust phylogeny of the family Alaudidae. The former analysis included 55 species and the latter 25. These data were also combined to construct a combined evidence phylogeny (Chapter 7). Within the family, several genera recognised by more traditional taxonomies are polyphyletic, including Ammomanes, Eremalauda .and Certhilauda. Two other genera, Calandrella and Mirafra, are best treated as multiple genera (Chapter 2). The sampled Alaudidae can be divided into three main radiations, the ammomanid larks, mirafrid larks and alaudid larks (Chapter 3). Within the ammomanid larks, there is strong support for: (1) a southern African' radiation comprising Chersomanes, the Long-billed Lark complex (Certhilauda) and Ammomanes (Ammomanopsis) grayi ,with Alaemon allied to this radiation; and (2) a .Saharo-Sindian radiation comprising Ramphocoris c1otbey, Ammomanes cinc(urus, and A. deserti sister to the Afro-Sindian sparrowlark Eremopterix clade. The Madagascan endemic Mirafra hova was a surprise basal member of Eremopterix

Blue Carbon on Polar and Subpolar Seabeds

When marine organisms eat and grow they capture and store carbon, termed blue carbon. Polar seas have extreme light climates and sea temperatures. Their continental shelves have amongst the most intense phytoplankton (algal) blooms. This carbon drawdown, storage and burial by biodiversity is a quantifiable ‘ecosystem service’. Most of that carbon sinks to be recycled by microbes, but some enters a wider food web of zooplankton and their predators or diverse seabed life. How much carbon becomes stored long term or buried to become genuinely sequestered varies with a wide range of factors, e.g. geography, history, substratum etc. The Arctic and Antarctic are dynamic and in a phase of rapid but contrasting, complex physical change and marine organismal carbon capture and storage is altering in response. For example, an ice shelf calving a 5000 km2 iceberg actually results in 106 tons of additional blue carbon per year. Polar blue carbon increases have resulted from new and longer climate-forced, phytoplankton blooms driven by sea ice losses and ice shelf collapses. Polar blue carbon gains with sea ice losses are probably the largest natural negative feedback against climate change. Here the current status, variability and future of polar blue carbon is considered

Voluntary Governance (VG) in the Not-for-Profit Sector: The Model for Retention and Recruitment of Boards of Directors

This research seeks to explore the current type of Voluntary Governance (VG) mechanisms used to monitor and control Not-For-Profit (NFP) entities at the Board of Directors (BOD) level. It uses case study analysis to investigate the Model rules for NFP Directors. The questions explore the Board and governance mechanisms for NFPs, particularly focusing on the value added by Voluntary Board members, to make recommendations for reporting of Voluntary Governance by NFPs. The Global Financial Crisis demonstrated the importance of Accountability, Transparency and good Corporate Governance of all types of organizations be they Not-for-Profit (NFP) or for-profit. This research demonstrates the obligations of Voluntary Directors in terms of legislation, common law duties and equitable fiduciary duties in relation to governance, social responsibility, transparency and risk management, particularly in a sector that contributes so much to the global economies in terms of employment and GDP [1], [2]

Board Governance in the Not-for-Profit Sector: The GOLDEN Rule Model for Recruitment and Retention of Voluntary Boards of Directors

The Global Financial Crisis demonstrated the importance of Accountability, Transparency and good Corporate Governance of all types of organizations be they Not-for-Profit (NFP) or for-profit. This research seeks to explore the current type of governance mechanisms used to monitor and control Not-For-Profit (NFP) entities at the Board of Directors (BOD) level. It uses case study analysis to investigate the “GOLDEN” Model Rules for NFP Directors. The questions explore the Board and governance mechanisms for NFPs, particularly focusing on the “value added” by Board members, to make recommendations for reporting of Governance by NFPs. This model demonstrates the obligations of Directors in terms of legislation, common law duties and equitable fiduciary duties in relation to governance, social responsibility, transparency and risk management, in a sector that contributes so much to the global economies in terms of employment and GDP (OECD, 2009 and ABS 2015)

A General Ecology of Bryozoans at Signy Island, Antarctica

This study set out to investigate a broad range of ecological aspects in Antarctic bryozoans, including distribution, feeding, growth and predation, and how these were influenced by environmental conditions. A number of sites, at a variety of depths, were chosen from within Borge Bay, Signy Island in the South Orkneys, using SCUBA. Some of these studies atempted to monitor populations in situ over tlie course of two years, mainly with the aid of underwater cameras. Photographic samples were taken on three vertical transects of 5.5 m rock faces and two 40 m sloping transects. The percentage cover of substratum ranged from 0-100% and the colonising communities included representitives of 10 phyla. Ice impact, depth and profile were important influences on community cover and composition. Collections of up to 200 rocks were made from each of six localities ranging from the intertidal to 42 m. Area colonised, number of colonising phyla, bryozoan species and colonies were all found to increase with substratum surface area and depth. Over 4000 competitive interactions between bryozoans were recorded, which indicated the presence of a competitive hierarchy with one ultimately dominant species. Colonisation of artificial substrata was very slow comparative to that found by similar temperate studies and suggested an essentially classical successional pattern of colonisation. Bryozoans were abundant on the externa of a variety of other macroinveitebrates, including fouling the surfaces of erect bryozoan species.Lophophore activity (feeding) occurred for most of the year in the bryozoans monitored, and environmental cues were suggested for the changes in activity of some species. Growth was generally slow but contrasted strongly in duration between the monitored species. The growth checks, formed annually by one species, showed interannual variations in growtli throughout the population. Two bryozoan species had specific nudibranch predators, though their populations seemed little influenced by predation

Governance in the Not-For-Profit Sector: In International Perspective

The Global Financial Crisis demonstrated the importance of accountability, transparency and good corporate governance for both not-for-profit (NFP) or for-profit organisations. Not-for-profit entities on an international basis play a significant role in world economies in relation to welfare, economic growth and employment (OECD 2009). This research explores the current type of governance mechanisms used to monitor and control international not-for-profit (NFP) entities and to compare to current practices for Australian NFPs. The question explored is how much control is exercised by mainly voluntary directors in a sector dominated by time and budgetary constraints. NFP entities were analysed for their corporate governance in terms of accountability in their annual reports, which also includes analysis of the board of directors. Although international not-for-profit entities are a significant contributor to international social responsibility as well as employment and GDP, this research shows a significant lack of accountability by reviewing their 2010 annual reports. The Australian NFPs demonstrated greater transparency and governance in their annual reports than international NFPs

EXPERT COACHES’ EXPERIENTIAL KNOWLEDGE IDENTIFIES THE NEED FOR GREATER REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN IN BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSES

Twenty expert coaches were interviewed exploring their conceptions of the fast-bowling technique and how they coached it. Coaches noted highly individualised techniques, that altered at varying times, due to game structure and tactical imperatives, which often required technical intervention. Previous have failed to identify these changes; however, these studies have not included a tactical context. Without taking these contexts into consideration, many changes in technique may have been missed in analysis. By following principles of ecological dynamics, the tactical environment that contextualises a technical analysis, alongside the psychological and emotional states of the athlete, can be used to design more closely representative experimental research settings

What? You Want Me to Write?!

1. Purpose. This paper sets out to report on and evaluate the writing skills of a cohort of accounting and business students. 2. Design/methodology/approach. Students were asked to write an essay describing their learning experience in an introductory accounting class. These essays were then evaluated by experienced teachers of English. 3. Findings. Major weaknesses are that: there is inadequate engagement with the assignment question; there is a paucity of content; writing is diffuse rather than succinct; there are faults with sentence structure and other errors of English expression. 4. Implications. The research brings to the fore the poor writing ability of university accounting students and lays stress on the need to train and more clearly guide the development of these business related skills. Training may require curriculum adjustment to accommodate additional courses of study. 5. Originality. There is a paucity of material related to the writing skills of accounting and business students and this paper attempts to address this gap. 6. Limitations. The cohort studied came from a private Southern California university and the results may not necessarily reflect the writing skills of other university students. The study needs to be replicated in other settings

Space-based Communications Infrastructure for Developing Countries

This study examines the potential use of satellites to augment the telecommunications infrastructure of developing countries with advanced satellites. The study investigated the potential market for using satellites in developing countries, the role of satellites in national information infractructures (NII), the technical feasibility of augmenting NIIs with satellites, and a nation's financial conditions necessary for procuring satellite systems. In addition, the study examined several technical areas including onboard processing, intersatellite links, frequency of operation, multibeam and active antennas, and advanced satellite technologies. The marketing portion of this study focused on three case studies: China, Brazil, and Mexico. These cases represent countries in various stages of telecommunication infrastructure development. The study concludes by defining the needs of developing countries for satellites, and recommends steps that both industry and NASA can take to improve the competitiveness of U.S. satellite manufacturing