1,445 research outputs found
Innovations in energy and climate policy: lessons from Vermont
We ask in this article: how can planners and policymakers replicate Vermontâs energy and climate policies? We begin by explaining the research methods utilized for this articleâmainly research interviews with a pool of experts, coupled with a targeted literature review. We then analyze the success of Vermont energy policy across four areas: energy efficiency, renewable energy, the smart grid, and energy governance. The following sections first explain how Vermont accomplished these successes, next identify a number of remaining barriers and elements of Vermontâs approach that may not be replicable, and finally present the articleâs conclusions
MEME08: A global magnetic field model with satellite data weighting
A new data weighting scheme is introduced for satellite geomagnetic survey data. This scheme allows vector samples of the field to be used at all magnetic latitudes and results in an improved lithospheric model, particularly in the auroral regions.
Data weights for 20-second spaced satellite samples are derived from two noise estimators for the sample. Firstly the standard deviation along the 20 seconds of satellite track, centred on each sample, is computed as a measure of local magnetic activity. Secondly a larger-scale noise estimator is defined in terms of a âlocal area vector activityâ (LAVA) index for the sample. This is derived from activity estimated from the geographically nearest magnetic observatories to the sample point.
Weighting of satellite data by the inverse-sum-of-squares of these noise estimators leads to a robust model of the field (called âModel of Earthâs Magnetic Environment 2008, or âMEME08â - to rhyme with âbeamâ) to about spherical harmonic degree 60. In particular we find that vector data may be used at all latitudes and that there is no need to use particularly complex model parameterizations, regularisation, or prior data correction to remove estimates of un-modelled source fields
Improving time-dependent parameters of magnetic field models
An important part of modelling the Earth's magnetic field is to accurately characterise its temporal variation, in particular the secular variation, and secular acceleration. These quantities are sensitive to the data selection and the time-dependent parameterisation and we present modifications to these strategies. When selecting satellite data for magnetic field modelling it is normal practice to use less disturbed data collected when the local time is between certain hours during the night and perhaps additionally when the data are not sunlit. However this approach results in gaps in the temporal data distribution which are likely to compromise the model parameters that depend on time. If the solar zenith angle is also a selection criterion, parameters which depend on location will also be compromised as an annual signal is introduced into the data distribution at high latitudes. Here we strive for a more continuous coverage in time. Rather than eliminating large amounts of data which are normally considered to be too noisy to include in the model, we downweight these data. This builds on work done previously involving small-scale noise
The effects of adult guidance and peer discussion on the development of children's representations: evidence from the training of pedestrian skills
It was hypothesised that practical training is effective in improving children's pedestrian skills because adult scaffolding and peer discussion during training specifically promote E3 level representation (linguistically-encoded, experientially-grounded, generalisable knowledge), as defined by Karmiloff-Smith's (1992) representational redescription (RR) model. Two studies were conducted to examine in detail the impact of this social input, in the context of simulation-based training in roadside search skills. Five- to eight-year-olds were pre-tested on ability to detect relevant road crossing features. They then participated in four training sessions designed to promote attunement to these, under peer discussion condition vs adult guidance conditions (Study 1), and adult-child vs adult-group conditions (Study 2). Performance at post-test was compared to that of controls who underwent no training. Study 1 found that children in the adult guidance condition improved significantly more than those in the peer discussion or control conditions, and this improvement was directly attributable to appropriation of E3 level representations from adult dialogue. Study 2 found that progress was greater still when adult scaffolding was supplemented by peer discussion, with E3 level representation attributable to children's exploration of conflicting ideas. The implications of these findings for the RR model and for practical road safety education are discussed
Novel six-coordinate Aryl- and Alkyltin complexes
Organo-tin compounds have wide applications as pesticides and as intermediates for organic synthesis.Âč They are invariably Sn(IV) derivatives and are generally four-coordinate.ÂČ The mixed organo/chioro compounds of the type RnSnCI4-n do however have the ability to expand their coordination numbers to five or six. This depends critically on the substituents - with four organic groups, RâSn, there is no tendency at all to coordinate extra ligands, while at the other extreme SnClâ readily forms six-coordinate [SnC1âLâ] complexes since the electronegative halo groups increase the Lewis acidity of the tin centre
Optimal strategies for regional cultivar testing
In undertaking cultivar trials, the variability of the response of the cultivars to the different environments in which they are grown introduces the possibility of release errors and nonârelease errors in the decisions made on the basis of the trial results. In this article a model is developed that accounts for the economic costs of those errors as well as the costs of operating the trials, and enables the features of the optimal cultivar testing program to be identified. The model is illustrated by application to wheat cultivar trials in central and southern NSW.Crop Production/Industries,
Hard Hat Ambient Liability Observer (HALO)
Capturing workplace incident information is a growing area of concern for most companies. To assist with this, the design team proposed the H.A.L.O. This design uses time-of-flight sensors connected to LEDs to create a proximity-based hazard warning system. It also records incident data using an accelerometer and micro-SD card. This helps workers avoid some of the most common workplace injuries, slips, trips, and falls and accidental collisions.
Students have created a design with engineering, and marketing requirements that accomplish this task. The proposed design allows for this monitoring and mitigation systems to be attached to hard hats. Team members developed software and hardware subsystems to fit on any hardhat without hindering worker safety.
The completed design uses the systems listed above register hazardous objects within 1.5m and color shifts depending on distance. Within the 150-degree FOV, any objects approaching the device are registered. In case of a possible concussive event, collision data writes to a SD card for use during an incident investigation. After a semester of development and integration, the H.A.L.O. system met the engineering requirements to assist with preventing workplace injury in a cost-effective manner
The Trichoptera of Panama. VI. Seven new species of microcaddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) from Mount Totumas Cloud Forest and Biological Reserve
There have been 136 species of microcaddisflies (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) recorded from the Republic of Panama. Herein we describe seven new species from the Mount Totumas Cloud Forest and Biological Reserve, in the upper reaches of the RĂo ChiriquĂ Viejo watershed (Costatrichia devestiva, C. dietrichi, Metrichia brocha, M. calla, Neotrichia atopa, Ochrotrichia anticheirion, and Rhyacopsyche totuma). These results are part of an ongoing effort to characterize the aquatic insect fauna of Panama, and to evaluate that countryâs major watersheds
The Trichoptera of Panama XIII. Further new country records for caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) from the Republic of Panama
The Republic of Panama currently includes 414 recorded species of Trichoptera. Herein we add two new genera (Hydroptilidae: Angrisanoia Ozdikmen, 2008 and Mayatrichia Mosely, 1937) and 17 new country records (Philopotamidae: Chimarra (C.) tapanti Blahnik, Wormaldia bolivari Muñoz-Quesada and Holzenthal, and Wormaldia zunigae Muñoz-Quesada and Holzenthal; Hydropsychidae: Centromacronema pygmaeum Botosaneanu; Hydroptilidae: Brysopteryx esparta Harris and Holzenthal, Byrsopteryx solisi Harris and Holzenthal, Costatrichia falsa Santos, Takiya, and Nessimian, Mayatrichia illobia Harris and Holzenthal, Metrichia amplitudinis Bueno-Soria and Holzenthal, Ochrotrichia boquillas Moulton and Harris, O. conformalis Bueno-Soria and Holzenthal, O. quinealensis Bueno-Soria and Holzenthal, and O. unica Bueno-Soria and Santiago; Leptoceridae: Triaenodes morai Holzenthal and Andersen; Odontoceridae: Marilia kingsolveri Bueno-Soria and Rojas-Ascencio; and, Helicopsychidae: Helicopsyche alajuela Johanson and Holzenthal and Helicopsyche breviterga Flint) to Panamaâs caddisfly fauna. The newly recorded taxa increase Panamaâs total known caddisfly fauna to 431 species, distributed among 15 families and 55 genera. These results are part of an ongoing effort to characterize the caddisfly fauna of Panama, and to evaluate the aquatic insect diversity of the countryâs major watersheds (cuencas).
La RepĂșblica de PanamĂĄ actualmente incluye 414 especies registradas de Trichoptera. AquĂ agregamos dos nuevos gĂ©neros (Hydroptilidae: Angrisanoia Ozdikmen, 2008 y Mayatrichia Mosely, 1937) y 17 nuevos registros para el paĂs (Philopotamidae: Chimarra (C.) tapanti Blahnik, Wormaldia bolivari Muñoz-Quesada y Holzenthal, y Wormaldia zunigae Muñoz-Quesada y Holzenthal; Hydropsychidae: Centromacronema pygmaeum Botosaneanu; Hydroptilidae: Brysopteryx esparta Harris y Holzenthal, Byrsopteryx solisi Harris y Holzenthal, Costatrichia falsa Santos, Takiya, y Nessimian, Mayatrichia illobia Harris y Holzenthal, Metrichia amplitudinis Bueno-Soria y Holzenthal, Ochrotrichia boquillas Moulton y Harris, Ochrotrichia conformalis Bueno-Soria y Holzenthal, Ochrotrichia quinealensis Bueno-Soria y Holzenthal, y Ochrotrichia unica Bueno-Soria y Santiago; Leptoceridae: Triaenodes morai Holzenthal y Andersen; Odontoceridae: Marilia kingsolveri Bueno-Soria y Rojas- Ascencio; y, Helicopsychidae: Helicopsyche alajuela Johanson y Holzenthal y Helicopsyche breviterga Flint) a la fauna de Trichoptera de PanamĂĄ. Los taxones recien reportados aumentan el total de la fauna de Trichoptera de PanamĂĄ a 431 especies, distribuidas en 15 familias y 55 gĂ©neros. Estos resultados son parte de un esfuerzo continuo para caracterizar la fauna de Trichoptera y para evaluar la diversidad de insectos acuĂĄticos de las principales cuencas hidrogrĂĄficas (cuencas) de PanamĂĄ
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