An Annotated Checklist of Wisconsin Mutillidae (Hymenoptera)

A survey of Wisconsin velvet ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) conducted from literature searches, collection inventories, and two years of field work (2001-2002) yielded 28 species in three subfamilies. Of these, 23 species (representing 82% of the Wisconsin fauna and a 460% increase in the known species richness) are new state species records, having not previously been recorded in the published literature from the state. The known distributions of all Wisconsin species are reported by region and county, along with pertinent phenological, natural history, and other collection information, when known

An investigation into usability and exclusivity issues of digital programmable thermostats

This is the pre-print version of the Article - Copyright @ 2011 Taylor & FrancisWith nearly 60% of domestic energy consumption relating to space heating, the interaction between users and their heating controls is crucial in reducing consumption. Yet, many heating controls are complex and exclude people due to the demands placed upon their capabilities in terms of vision, reach, dexterity and thinking. This study explores the scale of and reasons for user exclusion in relation to digital programmable thermostats. The Exclusion Calculator was used to estimate the percentage of the population excluded from the use of three products. Full user testing was then conducted to elicit specific usability problems of the devices. The participants were a group of 14 younger users (aged 24–44) and 10 older users (aged 62–75). The exclusion calculations underestimated the actual exclusion significantly for both age ranges (p<0.05). None of the older users were able to complete the programming of the thermostats. Additionally, the cognitive demands of these systems were considered using a subjective workload assessment method, based on the NASA Task Load Index, and were found to be excessive. In conclusion, this study makes recommendations to facilitate the design of more inclusive digital programmable thermostats. It is argued that such changes could result in reductions in domestic heat energy consumption.This work is funded by the ESPRC and Buro Happold

Criminal Law - Death Penalty: Jury Discretion Bridled

The Eighth Amendment requires that the jury be given discretion in capital cases, but this discretion must be guided with objective standards. North Carolina\u27s attempt to conform to this constitutional standard is found in N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 15A-2000 to 2003, effective June 1, 1977

Ethylene oligomerisation and polymerisation: catalyst synthesis, mechanisms and product analysis

Products from the oligomerisation and polymerisation of ethylene are ubiquitous in daily life. These products represent a major revenue stream for the commodity chemicals industry which, along with academia, has driven research and development into the control of polymer properties via manipulation at the molecular level. This research, conducted at Imperial College London and funded by INEOS, focuses on the synthesis, characterisation, and properties of non-Cp transition metal complexes, featuring terphenyl and aromatic ligands, and their application in the oligomerisation and polymerisation of ethylene. Conditions for the most promising candidates in catalysis have been investigated and optimised for lab conditions. The effects exhibited by these systems on polymer microstructure in terms of molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, dispersity and degree of branching have also been demonstrated. In addition, a new analytical framework is presented for describing product distributions arising from the oligomerisation and polymerisation of ethylene. This framework elucidates the mechanisms of the systems under consideration, and expounds general mathematical considerations for characterising ethylene oligomer and polymer product distributions. Chapter 1 presents the aims and objectives of this thesis and introduces several key concepts relevant to ethylene polymerisation. Chapter 2 focuses on the synthesis and characterisation of novel non-Cp Group 4 η1- complexes, featuring terphenyl ligands, and their performance as ethylene polymerisation catalysts. Chapter 3 presents the synthesis and characterisation of non-Cp Group 4 η6- and η4- complexes, featuring aromatic ligands, along with a theoretical consideration of their structure. Chapter 4 includes homogeneous and supported ethylene polymerisation results using the non-Cp Group 4 η6- and η4- complexes from Chapter 3. Chapter 5 describes a detailed analytical framework for considering product distributions from transition metal catalysed ethylene oligomerisation and polymerisation processes. Chapter 6 gives experimental procedures and supplementary information relevant to Chapters 2 – 5.Open Acces

A Wii Bit of Fun: A Novel Platform to Deliver Effective Balance Training to Older Adults

BACKGROUND: Falls and fall-related injuries are symptomatic of an aging population. This study aimed to design, develop, and deliver a novel method of balance training, using an interactive game-based system to promote engagement, with the inclusion of older adults at both high and low risk of experiencing a fall.STUDY DESIGN: Eighty-two older adults (65 years of age and older) were recruited from sheltered accommodation and local activity groups. Forty volunteers were randomly selected and received 5 weeks of balance game training (5 males, 35 females; mean, 77.18 ± 6.59 years), whereas the remaining control participants recorded levels of physical activity (20 males, 22 females; mean, 76.62 ± 7.28 years). The effect of balance game training was measured on levels of functional balance and balance confidence in individuals with and without quantifiable balance impairments.RESULTS: Balance game training had a significant effect on levels of functional balance and balance confidence (P Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Will Washington Provide Its Own Feedstocks for Biofuels?

The study finds that Washington State’s field corn, sugar beet and canola production could satisfy only a small percentage of the State’s annual gasoline or diesel consumption. Linear programming projections for 2008 showed a relatively close match between projected and actual production. Projections for 2009-2011 showed no increase in the State’s capacity to increase biofuel crop feedstocks. In comparison to crop feedstocks, Washington’s total annual lignocellulosic biomass is abundant. However, only a fraction of the biomass could be converted to biofuel due to high costs of collection and processing, competing markets for some biomass, and limitations in current technology.biofuels, biofuel feedstocks, canola, cellulosic inventories, grain corn, linear programming, Washington State

Multi-mode coupling wave theory for helically corrugated waveguide

Helically corrugated waveguide has been used in various applications such as gyro-backward wave oscillators, gyro-traveling wave amplifier and microwave pulse compressor. A fast prediction of the dispersion characteristic of the operating eigenwave is very important when designing a helically corrugated waveguide. In this paper, multi-mode coupling wave equations were developed based on the perturbation method. This method was then used to analyze a five-fold helically corrugated waveguide used for X-band microwave compression. The calculated result from this analysis was found to be in excellent agreement with the results from numerical simulation using CST Microwave Studio and vector network analyzer measurements