Legal approaches to management of the risk of cloud computing insolvencies

Cloud computing has revolutionised data handling in recent years in enabling the usage of computing resources, including for the storage of data, through flexible and on-demand services, often accessed through the internet. One potential consequential challenge which has only been briefly touched upon previously is the containment of the impact of an insolvency in this area, as access to data, as well as the means of processing this data, may be significantly delayed or even lost upon the failure of a cloud service provider. This is a matter of serious concern, as growing reliance on cloud computing technologies by businesses, including financial institutions, as well as public authorities presents risks of an insolvency having a potentially systemic nature. This article represents an initial attempt to identify possible approaches to the threat of cloud computing insolvencies, suggesting a double layered domestic approach in view of the significant risks for businesses and potential variations in scale and impact, as well as a need for supranational approach given the potential for a 'too big to fail' scenario. Lying at the intersection of insolvency law and technological innovation this is an area which is as yet almost entirely unexplored

Responses of salmonids to habitat changes

Streams in western North America provide spawning and rearing habitats for several species of salmon and trout that are of substantial economic importance in the region. Timber that grows on lands through which these streams flow is also economically important, and its harvest can substantially change habitat conditions and aquatic production in salmonid streams. Undisturbed forests, the streams that flow through them, and the salmonid communities in these streams have intrinsic scientific, genetic, and cultural values in addition to their economic importance. The complex relations between salmonids and their physical environment, and the changes in these relations brought about by timber harvest, have been investigated extensively (see the bibliography by Macdonald et al. 1988). However, in spite of considerable evidence of profound changes in channel morphology and in light, temperature, and flow regimes associated with timber harvests, much uncertainty exists about the responses of salmonids to these changes

Analyse centrographique de la population du Québec de 1951 à 1971

Avant de pouvoir expliquer les processus qui sous-tendent la redistribution de la population, il est très utile de déceler les tendances générales de cette redistribution. L'un des meilleurs outils à cette fin est l'analyse centrographique. Trois mesures centro-graphiques : le centre de gravité, la distance-type et un indice de dispersion relative, sont calculées pour la répartition de la population du Québec à trois échelles différentes (division de recensement, région administrative et province) à trois points dans le temps (1951, 1961, 1971). Au premier niveau, la grande majorité des divisions de recensement sont caractérisées par la stabilité ou par une tendance à la concentration. Au niveau régional, la population tend à se concentrer dans toutes les régions administratives sauf deux : l'Abitibi et la Gaspésie. Au niveau de l'ensemble du Québec, il y a eu tendance à la concentration, le centre de gravité se situant dans le lac Saint-Pierre, au nord de la municipalité de Nicolet, mais se déplaçant progressivement vers Montréal.A first step in explaining the processes which result in a redistribution of population over time is the identification of patterns and trends. A very useful tool to this end is centrographic analysis. The centrographic measures, centre of gravity, standard distance and a measure of relative dispersion, are determined for the population distribution of Québec at varying scales (county, region, province) for three points in time (1951, 1961, 1971). At the first level, the large majority of the counties either exhibited stable patterns or tended toward concentration. At the regional level, population tended to concentrate in all but two of the administrative regions studied — Abitibi and Gaspésie. At the provincial level, there has been a general trend toward concentration. The centre of gravity of the population, while remaining in the environs of the municipality of Nicolet, is wending its way progressively toward Montréal

Material Characterization and Real-Time Wear Evaluation of Pistons and Cylinder Liners of the Tiger 131 Military Tank

Material characterisation and wear evaluation of the original and replacement pistons and cylinder-liners of Tiger 131 is reported. Original piston and cylinder-liner were operative in the Tigers’ engine during WWII. The replacement piston and cylinder-liner were used as substitutes and were obtained after failure in two hours of operation in the actual engine. Material characterisation revealed that the original piston was aluminium silicon hypereutectic alloy whereas the replacement piston was aluminium copper alloy with very low silicon content. Both original and replacement cylinder-liners consisted of mostly iron which is indicative of cast iron, a common material for this application. The replacement piston average surface roughness was found to be 9.09 μm while for replacement cylinder-liner it was 5.78 μm

Hedgehog Signalling in Androgen Independent Prostate Cancer

Objectives: Androgen-deprivation therapy effectively shrinks hormone-naïve prostate cancer, both in the prostate and at sites of distant metastasis. However prolonged androgen deprivation generally results in relapse and androgen-independent tumour growth, which is inevitably fatal. The molecular events that enable prostate cancer cells to proliferate in reduced androgen conditions are poorly understood. Here we investigate the role of Hedgehog signalling in androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC). Methods: Activity of the Hedgehog signalling pathway was analysed in cultured prostate cancer cells, and circulating prostate tumour cells were isolated from blood samples of patients with AIPC. Results: AIPC cells were derived through prolonged culture in reduced androgen conditions, modelling hormone therapy in patients, and expressed increased levels of Hedgehog signalling proteins. Exposure of cultured AIPC cells to cyclopamine, which inhibits Hedgehog signalling, resulted in inhibition of cancer cell growth. The expression of the Hedgehog receptor PTCH and the highly prostate cancer-specific gene DD3PCA3 was significantly higher in circulating prostate cancer cells isolated from patients with AIPC compared with samples prepared from normal individuals. There was an association between PTCH and DD3PCA3 expression and the length of androgen-ablation therapy. Conclusions: Our data are consistent with reports implicating overactivity of Hedgehog signalling in prostate cancer and suggest that Hedgehog signalling contributes to the androgen-independent growth of prostate cancer cells. As systemic anti-Hedgehog medicines are developed, the Hedgehog pathway will become a potential new therapeutic target in advanced prostate cancer.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Performance modeling of ultraviolet Raman lidar systems for daytime profiling of atmospheric water vapor

We describe preliminary results from a comprehensive computer model developed to guide optimization of a Raman lidar system for measuring daytime profiles of atmospheric water vapor, emphasizing an ultraviolet, solar-blind approach

The sticking probability of D2O-water on ice: Isotope effects and the influence of vibrational excitation

International audienceThe present study measures the sticking probability of heavy water (D2O) on H2O- and on D2O-ice and probes the influence of selective OD-stretch excitation on D2O sticking on these ices. Molecular beam techniques are combined with infrared laser excitation to allow for precise control of incident angle, translational energy, and vibrational state of the incident molecules. For a translational energy of 69 kJ/mol and large incident angles (θ ≥ 45°), the sticking probability of D2O on H2O-ice was found to be 1% lower than on D2O-ice. OD-stretch excitation by IR laser pumping of the incident D2O molecules produces no detectable change of the D2O sticking probability (<10−3). The results are compared with other gas/surface systems for which the effect of vibrational excitation on trapping has been probed experimentally

Enhance local communities through Design: a holistic approach to regenerate rural environments

The advent of the technological revolution and the current aspiration to reconnect with the land define possibilities for thinking new connections between individuals and communities. These relations are geared towards developing regenerative endeavors and methods, ultimately leading to the establishment of collective well-being. Within rural environments, there is a propensity to develop strategies that include substantial lifestyle changes. These strategies operate employing practices and actions that, through co-design, aim to revitalize the local area. Through different approaches, the concepts of value and trust are nurtured, facilitating collaborative design of possible futures and transitional pathways to them. The objective of this study is to introduce a theoretical framework that encompasses the distinctive methodologies and actions inherent to the realm of design. This framework is intended to become a guide for implementing inventive processes, with the goal of revitalizing areas that are struggling with both social neglect and environmental deterioration. The activities conducted until now increased the experiences of relations with communities of place, creating meaningful opportunities, but also highlighting limitations and difficulties in intercommunity relations

Volcaniclastic debris flow occurrences in the Campania region (southern Italy) and their relation to Holocene - late Pleistocene pyroclastic fall deposits: implications for large scale hazard mapping

The Campania Region (Southern Italy) is characterized by the frequent occurrence of volcaniclastic debris flows that produce damage to property and loss of life (more than 170 deaths between 1996 and 1999). Historical investigation allowed the identification of more than 500 events during the last four centuries; in particular, more than half of these occurred in the last 100 years, causing hundreds of deaths. The aim of this paper is to identify debris flow proneness and to quantify hazard. To this end, we compared several elements such as the thickness distribution of pyroclastic fall deposits from the last 18 ka of the Vesuvius and Phlegrean Fields volcanoes, the slopes of relieves, and the historical record of volcaniclastic debris flows from AD 1500 to the present. Results show that flow occurrence is not only a function of the cumulative thickness of past pyroclastic fall deposits but also depends on the age of emplacement. Deposits younger than 10 ka (Holocene eruptions) apparently increase the risk of debris flows, while those older than 10 ka (Late Pleistocene eruptions) seem to play a less prominent role. This is probably in relation to different climatic conditions, and therefore different rates of erosion of pyroclastic falls between the Holocene and the Late Pleistocene. Based on the above considerations, we compiled a large-scale debris flow hazard map of the study area in which five main hazard zones are identified: very low, low, moderate, high and very high