Noise-free high-efficiency photon-number-resolving detectors

High-efficiency optical detectors that can determine the number of photons in a pulse of monochromatic light have applications in a variety of physics studies, including post-selection-based entanglement protocols for linear optics quantum computing and experiments that simultaneously close the detection and communication loopholes of Bell's inequalities. Here we report on our demonstration of fiber-coupled, noise-free, photon-number-resolving transition-edge sensors with 88% efficiency at 1550 nm. The efficiency of these sensors could be made even higher at any wavelength in the visible and near-infrared spectrum without resulting in a higher dark-count rate or degraded photon-number resolution.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures Published in Physical Review A, Rapid Communications, 17 June 200

The Italian Debate about Civil Unions and Same-Sex Parenthood : The Disappearance of Lesbians, Lesbian Mothers, and Mothers

This article presents the political debate about the legal recognition of same-sex couples and same-sex parenthood in Italy, focusing on written sources such as documents and historiography of the Lgbt movement (so called since the time of the World Pride 2000 in Rome), and a press review covering the years 2013-2016. The aim of this reconstruction is to show if and how the sexual difference, quite relevant in matters of procreation, has been talked about within this context. The overwhelming majority of same-sex parents in couples in fact are lesbians, but, as it will be shown, lesbians were seldom mentioned in the debate (main source: a sample of the press). In particular lesbian mothers since an early time disappeared from the debates about same-sex parenthood, until the mothers themselves were canceled with the endorsement by the majority of the Lgbt movement of subrogation of motherhood, where a woman becoming a mother is called and treated like a \u201ccarrier\u201d. The debate started with the first proposal on civil unions (not mentioning parenthood) by Arcigay in 1987, until their introduction with the law 76/2016, also not considering parenthood. The debate is presented more synthetically for most of these 29 years, until it landed in Parliament in 2015 and 2016, highlighting stepchild adoption and surrogacy. Stepchild adoption is still only for heterosexual re-married couples, though tribunals are conferring shared parenthood for both gays and lesbians

Implementasi Ketersediaan Beras Dalam Rangka Ketahanan Pangan Di Kabupaten Batang

Availability of good rice is expected to maintain food security. However, riceavailability in Batang Regency decreases although the consumption of rice is always increases. When this occurs continuously, it is feared that there will be deficits that cause weak food security.Location of the research was in Badan Pelaksana Penyuluhan dan KetahananPangan Batang Regency. Selection of informants was done using a purposive sampling.To test the quality of the obtained data, technique of triangulation was employed. As the focus of study, implementation of the policy observed through results and process, based on the policy performance of observable indicators of effectiveness, efficiency, fairness, adequacy, responsiveness and accuracy. Based on theories of Edwards III, and Van Meter & Van Horn\u27s implementation model synthesis, acquired the factors that support and hinder the implementation of the policy, namely communications, disposition, bureaucratic structure and resources.Based on the results of this research, implementation of the policy on theavailability of rice on Batang has yet to pan out. There are still weakness in efficiency, fairness and effectiveness.The recommendations are (1) addition of equitable distribution and infrastructures; (2) equity of efforts increased production; (3) equitable socialization and counseling services; (4) monitoring during the production process; and (5) intensive socialization and counseling

Service Learning: A Case Study in an Agricultural Communications Course

Academic service-learning can be an effective and successful educational tool across many disciplines. The benefits afforded students and the community they serve are reciprocal in nature, thereby providing service to the community and capitalizing on a real-world learning environment for the students. Agricultural communications programs can offer for service-learning opportunities within the academic arena. The Campaign Planning for Agricultural and Natural Resources course at Oklahoma State University captures the essence of service-learning and provides students with an opportunity to use knowledge gained in previous courses to develop usable communications campaigns for small businesses or organizations. This case study should serve as a starting point for service-learning research in agricultural communications

Effectively Disseminating Information to Limited-Scale Landowners in the Urban/Rural Interface

The study described here addressed the preferred methods of receiving information by limited-scale landowners and the role demographic variables play in the preferred delivery method of information. Findings indicated Extension\u27s audience prefers the use of direct mail as a primary method of information dissemination. Less than half used Extension. In cross-referencing age and education level with preferred sources of information, the study indicated audience members, regardless of age and education level, preferred direct mail as their source for information

The Cow That Stole Christmas: Framing the First U.S. Mad Cow Crisis

The discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States made an impact on the beef industry. Determining how the BSE outbreak was framed by the news media is significant because research indicates that media shape public perceptions. This study examined how several key newspapers framed the 2003 outbreak of BSE in the United States. Determining how the media framed this issue can help communicators ensure bias-free media coverage of similar issues in the future. The study followed established framing analysis categories identified from the literature. There were 149 articles identified in The Washington Post, The Seattle Times, and USA Today for investigation in this study. Findings showed that the BSE issue was framed as an industry crisis and that the tone of the articles and headlines portrayed the beef industry negatively. When compared to the other two newspapers, USA Today framed the issue differently, with economic calamity being the dominant frame. The most heavily cited sources in the articles were government officials. This study recommends that media professionals avoid framing an issue for the public, focusing instead on reporting news in an objective and unbiased manner. Further research is recommended to examine the impact of tone and frame on specific audiences

Hunter Harvest of Pen-Reared Northern Bobwhites Released From the Surrogator

There has been increased interest in releasing pen-reared northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) to meet quail hunting and shooting objectives as populations have declined. The Surrogatort is a commercially available product for rearing and releasing gamebirds into the wild and is promoted as a method to enhance bobwhite survival, improve hunting, and increase recruitment from natural reproduction. We used return-to-hunter bag data from 3 properties in Alabama, Georgia, and Kentucky to evaluate the Surrogatort as a pre-hunting season release technique for pen-reared bobwhites. Across all sites, 3,859 5-week old banded bobwhite chicks were released at varying times during June through October, 2005–2010. Ninety-three quail hunts were conducted during November through January 2005–2011 comprising 431 hunt party hours which resulted in 19 banded bobwhites being harvested. The return-to-hunter bag for all sites combined was 0.005 (range 1⁄4 0.000 to 0.008). This was considered unsatisfactory at each site and across all sites combined for a quality hunting/shooting experience. The mean cost per chick released was $3.41 (range 1⁄4$2.74 to $3.88) including the costs of quail chicks, Surrogatort units, propane, and feed across all sites. The mean cost per bird returned-to-hunter bag (Alabama and Georgia) was$655.80 (range 1⁄4 $489.91 to$821.68). These costs did not include economic depreciation of Surrogatort units