Radiation from a moving planar dipole layer: patch potentials vs dynamical Casimir effect

We study the classical electromagnetic radiation due to the presence of a dipole layer on a plane that performs a bounded motion along its normal direction, to the first non-trivial order in the amplitude of that motion. We show that the total emitted power may be written in terms of the dipole layer autocorrelation function. We then apply the general expression for the emitted power to cases where the dipole layer models the presence of patch potentials, comparing the magnitude of the emitted radiation with that coming from the quantum vacuum in the presence of a moving perfect conductor (dynamical Casimir effect).Comment: 5 pages, no figure

Management information systems in social safety net programs : a look at accountability and control mechanisms

This paper is intended to provide task managers and World Bank Group clients working on Social Safety Net (SSN) programs with practical and systematic ways to use information management practices to mitigate risks by strengthening control and accountability mechanisms. It lays out practices and options to consider in the design and implementation of the Management Information System (MIS), and how to evaluate and mitigate operational risks originating from running a MIS. The findings of the paper are based on the review of several Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programs in the Latin American Region and various World Bank publications on CCTs. The paper presents a framework for the implementation of MIS and cross-cutting information management systems that is based on industry standards and information management practices. This framework can be applied both to programs that make use of information and communications technology (ICT) and programs that are paper based. It includes examples of MIS practices that can strengthen control and accountability mechanisms of SSN programs, and presents a roadmap for the design and implementation of an MIS in these programs. The application of the framework is illustrated through case studies from three fictitious countries. The paper concludes with some considerations and recommendations for task managers and government officials in charge of implementing CCTs and other safety nets program, and with a checklist for the implementation and monitoring of MIS.E-Business,Technology Industry,Education for Development (superceded),Labor Policies,Knowledge Economy

AN ANALYSIS OF MARKETING CHANNELS OF LOCAL FOOD IN SCOTLAND

Local food and its possibilities for addressing sustainable regional growth, food availability, accessibility and affordability has received considerable attention in the discussion on and development of the National Food Policy in Scotland. In terms of methodology, the paper continues the analysis of the local food database for Scotland constructed in Watts et al (2010) by exploring the marketing outlets used by the local food enterprises. This subject is important because it may provide information about the degree of entrepreneurship of the involved firms.Local food, Scotland, marketing outlets, Marketing,

Erosive Tooth Wear and Consumption of Beverages among Children in the United States

Background/Aim: Experimental studies have identified differences in the effect of physicochemical properties of beverages on the etiology of erosive tooth wear (ETW). Little is known from epidemiological studies about the relationship between ETW and consumption of juices, drinks and milk. This study examined the relationship between the consumption of juices, drinks, milk and ETW in children in the United States. Methods: The National Health and Nutrition Examinations Survey data for 2003–2004 was analyzed. Trained and calibrated examiners used the modified Smith and Knight Tooth Wear Index from a 1998 United Kingdom Adult Health Survey to measure ETW. Beverage consumption collected via a Food Frequency Questionnaire was processed with Diet*Calc software to obtain the average daily consumption frequency for all queried juice categories, milk and carbonated beverages. Survey-weighted descriptive and multivariable analyses were performed. Results: Prevalence of ETW was highest in children aged 18–19 years (56%), males (49%), and lowest in Blacks (31%). Milk and soft drinks (0.85 times a day) and fruit drinks (0.69) were the most consumed products by children. Children with ETW had significantly higher odds of being frequent consumers of apple juice after adjusting for age, gender, and race/ethnicity. Blacks had the highest mean daily apple juice consumption, but the mean difference between those with ETW and those without ETW was not significant. Conclusion: ETW was associated with frequent intake of apple juice, but the mean difference in consumption between groups with ETW versus those without ETW within racial/ethnic groups was not significant