An evolutionary approach to the delimitation of labour market areas: an empirical application for Chile

An evolutionary approach to the delimitation of labour market areas: an empirical application for Chile. Spatial Economic Analysis. Labour market areas (LMAs) are argued to represent a more appropriate policy framework than administrative units for the analysis of spatial labour market activity. This article develops LMAs for Chile by applying an evolutionary computation approach. This innovative approach defines LMAs through an optimization process by maximization of internal cohesion, subject to restrictions of minimum levels of self-containment and population. To evaluate the appropriateness of the LMAs, comparative analyses are performed between alternative delimitations based on different parameter configurations of the proposed method versus administrative boundaries and the most widely used method for official LMA delimitation, the travel-to-work areas method

Vacuum fluctuations and the conditional homodyne detection of squeezed light

Conditional homodyne detection of quadrature squeezing is compared with standard nonconditional detection. Whereas the latter identifies nonclassicality in a quantitative way, as a reduction of the noise power below the shot noise level, conditional detection makes a qualitative distinction between vacuum state squeezing and squeezed classical noise. Implications of this comparison for the realistic interpretation of vacuum fluctuations (stochastic electrodynamics) are discussed.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures, to appear in J. Opt. B: Quantum Semiclass. Op

<em>Study on comparable Labour Market Areas</em>

The purpose of the "Study on comparable Labour Market Areas" is to explore the possibility of a consistent statistical classification of the whole EU territory, defined on a functional basis. To be specific, the objectives are to: (1) outline the state-of-art of applied sciences in the field of LMAs; (2) compare the LMA concepts recognised and implemented in each Member State; (3) draw conclusions on relevant best practice; (4) explore the added value of a common definition for the entire EU; and (5) identify possible ways and means of harmonising LMA definitions across the EU

Gain in Stochastic Resonance: Precise Numerics versus Linear Response Theory beyond the Two-Mode Approximation

In the context of the phenomenon of Stochastic Resonance (SR) we study the correlation function, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the ratio of output over input SNR, i.e. the gain, which is associated to the nonlinear response of a bistable system driven by time-periodic forces and white Gaussian noise. These quantifiers for SR are evaluated using the techniques of Linear Response Theory (LRT) beyond the usually employed two-mode approximation scheme. We analytically demonstrate within such an extended LRT description that the gain can indeed not exceed unity. We implement an efficient algorithm, based on work by Greenside and Helfand (detailed in the Appendix), to integrate the driven Langevin equation over a wide range of parameter values. The predictions of LRT are carefully tested against the results obtained from numerical solutions of the corresponding Langevin equation over a wide range of parameter values. We further present an accurate procedure to evaluate the distinct contributions of the coherent and incoherent parts of the correlation function to the SNR and the gain. As a main result we show for subthreshold driving that both, the correlation function and the SNR can deviate substantially from the predictions of LRT and yet, the gain can be either larger or smaller than unity. In particular, we find that the gain can exceed unity in the strongly nonlinear regime which is characterized by weak noise and very slow multifrequency subthreshold input signals with a small duty cycle. This latter result is in agreement with recent analogue simulation results by Gingl et al. in Refs. [18, 19].Comment: 22 pages, 5 eps figures, submitted to PR

COST 733 - WG4: Applications of weather type classification

The main objective of the COST Action 733 is to achieve a general numerical method for assessing, comparing and classifying typical weather situations in the European regions. To accomplish this goal, different workgroups are established, each with their specific aims: WG1: Existing methods and applications (finished); WG2: Implementation and development of weather types classification methods; WG3: Comparison of selected weather types classifications; WG4: Testing methods for various applications. The main task of Workgroup 4 (WG4) in COST 733 implies the testing of the selected weather type methods for various classifications. In more detail, WG4 focuses on the following topics:• Selection of dedicated applications (using results from WG1), • Performance of the selected applications using available weather types provided by WG2, • Intercomparison of the application results as a results of different methods • Final assessment of the results and uncertainties, • Presentation and release of results to the other WGs and external interested • Recommend specifications for a new (common) method WG2 Introduction In order to address these specific aims, various applications are selected and WG4 is divided in subgroups accordingly: 1.Air quality 2. Hydrology (& Climatological mapping) 3. Forest fires 4. Climate change and variability 5. Risks and hazards Simultaneously, the special attention is paid to the several wide topics concerning some other COST Actions such as: phenology (COST725), biometeorology (COST730), agriculture (COST 734) and mesoscale modelling and air pollution (COST728). Sub-groups are established to find advantages and disadvantages of different classification methods for different applications. Focus is given to data requirements, spatial and temporal scale, domain area, specifi

Escape from a metastable well under a time-ramped force

Thermally activated escape of an over-damped particle from a metastable well under the action of a time-ramped force is studied. We express the mean first passage time (MFPT) as the solution to a partial differential equation, which we solve numerically for a model case. We discuss two approximations of the MFPT, one of which works remarkably well over a wide range of loading rates, while the second is easy to calculate and can provide a valuable first estimate.Comment: 9 pages, including 2 figure

Effect of wild ungulate density on invertebrates in a Mediterranean ecosystem

Efecto de la densidad de ungulados silvestres sobre los invertebrados en un ecosistema Mediterráneo En las últimas décadas, la abundancia y distribución de determinadas especies de caza mayor, especialmente el ciervo rojo (Cervus elaphus) y el jabalí (Sus scrofa), han aumentado en la zona centromeridional de España como resultado de las estrategias de gestión cinegética. La alta densidad de estas especies de ungulados puede afectar a la abundancia de los invertebrados epigeos. Estudiamos la relación entre la abundancia de las especies de caza mayor y la biodiversidad, la riqueza de taxones, la biomasa de invertebrados y su frecuencia en nueve fincas de caza, y se comparó con las zonas de exclusión de ungulados. De por sí, la exclusión de ungulados afectó a la riqueza de invertebrados, ya que se encontraron valores más bajos en las parcelas abiertas, mientras que las mayores diferencias en la diversidad de invertebrados entre parcelas abiertas y cercadas se encontraron en zonas con una alta densidad de jabalíes. Donde la densidad de jabalíes era alta, el número de invertebrados disminuyó, mientras que donde era baja, el ciervo rojo tuvo un efecto positivo en la abundancia de invertebrados. Así, las parcelas cercadas parecían ofrecer refugio a los invertebrados, sobre todo donde los jabalíes eran abundantes. Este estudio apoya la idea de que las poblaciones con una alta densidad de ungulados perjudican a la estructura de las comunidades faunísticas, probablemente debido a la disminución de la disponibilidad de alimentos como consecuencia del sobrepastoreo, la modificación de las condiciones de los micronichos ecológicos y la depredación directa. Sin embargo, los efectos dependieron del grupo de invertebrados, ya que las especies saprofitas podrían beneficiarse de la alta abundancia de ungulados. Nuestros resultados reflejan la necesidad de controlar la densidad de las poblaciones de ungulados en condiciones mediterráneas en el suroeste de Europa y de establecer parcelas de exclusión de ungulados.In recent decades, the abundance and distribution of certain big game species, particularly red deer (Cervus elaphus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa), have increased in south central Spain as a result of hunting management strategies. The high density of these ungulate species may affect the abundance of epigeous invertebrates. We tested the relationships between big game abundance and biodiversity, taxon richness, the biomass of invertebrates and their frequency on nine hunting estates and in comparison to ungulate exclusion areas. Ungulate exclusion itself affected invertebrate richness, since lower values were found in the open plots, whereas the highest differences in invertebrate diversity between fenced and open plots was found in areas with high wild boar density. Where wild boar densities were high, the number of invertebrates decreased, while where they were low, red deer had a positive effect on invertebrate abundance. Fenced plots thus seemed to provide refuge for invertebrates, particularly where wild boar were abundant. This study supports the idea that the structure of fauna communities is damaged by high density populations of ungulates, probably due to decreased food availability owing to overgrazing, modified conditions of ecological microniches and direct predation. However, the effects depended on the group of invertebrates, since saprophytic species could benefit from high ungulate abundance. Our findings reflect the need to control ungulate population density under Mediterranean conditions in south–western Europe and to implement ungulate exclusion plots.Efecto de la densidad de ungulados silvestres sobre los invertebrados en un ecosistema Mediterráneo En las últimas décadas, la abundancia y distribución de determinadas especies de caza mayor, especialmente el ciervo rojo (Cervus elaphus) y el jabalí (Sus scrofa), han aumentado en la zona centromeridional de España como resultado de las estrategias de gestión cinegética. La alta densidad de estas especies de ungulados puede afectar a la abundancia de los invertebrados epigeos. Estudiamos la relación entre la abundancia de las especies de caza mayor y la biodiversidad, la riqueza de taxones, la biomasa de invertebrados y su frecuencia en nueve fincas de caza, y se comparó con las zonas de exclusión de ungulados. De por sí, la exclusión de ungulados afectó a la riqueza de invertebrados, ya que se encontraron valores más bajos en las parcelas abiertas, mientras que las mayores diferencias en la diversidad de invertebrados entre parcelas abiertas y cercadas se encontraron en zonas con una alta densidad de jabalíes. Donde la densidad de jabalíes era alta, el número de invertebrados disminuyó, mientras que donde era baja, el ciervo rojo tuvo un efecto positivo en la abundancia de invertebrados. Así, las parcelas cercadas parecían ofrecer refugio a los invertebrados, sobre todo donde los jabalíes eran abundantes. Este estudio apoya la idea de que las poblaciones con una alta densidad de ungulados perjudican a la estructura de las comunidades faunísticas, probablemente debido a la disminución de la disponibilidad de alimentos como consecuencia del sobrepastoreo, la modificación de las condiciones de los micronichos ecológicos y la depredación directa. Sin embargo, los efectos dependieron del grupo de invertebrados, ya que las especies saprofitas podrían beneficiarse de la alta abundancia de ungulados. Nuestros resultados reflejan la necesidad de controlar la densidad de las poblaciones de ungulados en condiciones mediterráneas en el suroeste de Europa y de establecer parcelas de exclusión de ungulados

Magneto-Dielectric Effect in the S = 1/2 Quasi-Two Dimensional Antiferromagnet K2V3O8

We report the optical and magneto-optical properties of K2V3O8, an S=1/2 quasi-two-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnet. Local spin density approximation electronic structure calculations are used to assign the observed excitations and analyze the field dependent features. Two large magneto-optical effects, centered at ~1.19 and 2.5 eV, are attributed to field-induced changes in the V 4+ d to d on-site excitations due to modification of the local crystal field environment of the VO5 square pyramids with applied magnetic field. Taken together, the evidence for a soft lattice, the presence of vibrational fine structure on the sharp 1.19 eV magneto-optical feature,and the fact that these optical excitations are due to transitions from a nearly pure spin polarized V d state to hybridized states involving both V and O, suggest that the magneto-dielectric effect in K2V3O8 is driven by strong lattice coupling.Comment: Zipped file containing 8 pages, 12 figures, in press PR

Identification of an alpha-amylase inhibitor from Pterodon pubescens with ability to inhibit Cowpea weevil digestive enzymes.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-06T01:03:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ID280541.PDF: 152819 bytes, checksum: 0b5ede405fb415bca59139e115264af2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-05-24bitstream/item/178141/1/ID-28054-1.PD

Length of hospital stay for elective electrophysiological procedures: a survey from the European Heart Rhythm Association

AIMS: Electrophysiological (EP) operations that have traditionally involved long hospital lengths of stay (LOS) are now being undertaken as day case procedures. The coronavirus disease-19 pandemic served as an impetus for many centres to shorten LOS for EP procedures. This survey explores LOS for elective EP procedures in the modern era. METHODS AND RESULTS: An online survey consisting of 27 multiple-choice questions was completed by 245 respondents from 35 countries. With respect to de novo cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantations, day case procedures were reported for 79.5% of implantable loop recorders, 13.3% of pacemakers (PMs), 10.4% of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), and 10.2% of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices. With respect to CIED generator replacements, day case procedures were reported for 61.7% of PMs, 49.2% of ICDs, and 48.2% of CRT devices. With regard to ablations, day case procedures were reported for 5.7% of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablations, 10.7% of left-sided ablations, and 17.5% of right-sided ablations. A LOS ≥ 2 days for CIED implantation was reported for 47.7% of PM, 54.5% of ICDs, and 56.9% of CRT devices and for 54.5% of AF ablations, 42.2% of right-sided ablations, and 46.1% of left-sided ablations. Reimbursement (43-56%) and bed availability (20-47%) were reported to have no consistent impact on the organization of elective procedures. CONCLUSION: There is a wide variation in the LOS for elective EP procedures. The LOS for some procedures appears disproportionate to their complexity. Neither reimbursement nor bed availability consistently influenced LOS