Spatial evaluation of multiple benefits to encourage multi-functional design of sustainable drainage in Blue-Green cities

Urban drainage systems that incorporate elements of green infrastructure (SuDS/GI) are central features in Blue-Green and Sponge Cities. Such approaches provide effective control of stormwater management whilst generating a range of other benefits. However these benefits often occur coincidentally and are not developed or maximised in the original design. Of all the benefits that may accrue, the relevant dominant benefits relating to specific locations and socio-environmental circumstances need to be established, so that flood management functions can be co-designed with these wider benefits to ensure both are achieved during system operation. The paper reviews a number of tools which can evaluate the multiple benefits of SuDS/GI interventions in a variety of ways and introduces new concepts of benefit intensity and benefit profile. Examples of how these concepts can be applied is provided in a case study of proposed SuDS/GI assets in the central area of Newcastle; UK. Ways in which SuDS/GI features can be actively extended to develop desired relevant dominant benefits are discussed; e.g., by (i) careful consideration of tree and vegetation planting to trap air pollution; (ii) extending linear SuDS systems such as swales to enhance urban connectivity of green space; and (iii) managing green roofs for the effective attenuation of noise or carbon sequestration. The paper concludes that more pro-active development of multiple benefits is possible through careful co-design to achieve the full extent of urban enhancement SuDS/GI schemes can offerNon

NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY DIGITAL DIVIDE: STUDENT INSIGHTS

The digital divide continues to be an issue for many Native American individuals in rural tribal areas. This research used a qualitative grounded theory method from the data collection of semi-structured interviews with Native American university students. The open coding of the transcribed responses was used to analyze the text data from individual Native American experiences. The data analysis codes included cost, location, access, digital literacy, and technology knowledge as continuing issues. The coding also shows limited technical support or training availability in the communities. The absence of technology use increases the need to understand factors that remain digital divide barriers for Native American communities. The digital divide - individual experiences model (DD-IEM) is based on three main categories: community, education, and home environments. Six propositions produced the DD-IEM that encompasses digital environments within the three settings that are unique to each individual

A multifrequency evaluation of active and passive microwave sensors for oil spill detection and assessment

An evaluation is given of how active and passive microwave sensors can best be used in oil spill detection and assessment. Radar backscatter curves taken over oil spills are presented and their effect on synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery are discussed. Plots of microwave radiometric brightness variations over oil spills are presented and discussed. Recommendations as to how to select the best combination of frequency, viewing angle, and sensor type for evaluation of various aspects of oil spills are also discussed

A Parametric Study of Tillage Effects on Radar Backscatter

Radar backscatter data for different field configurations and modulation function curves for angular and frequency variations are presented. A simplistic approach to modeling this effect is presented. It is concluded that: (1) row direction is a significant contributor to radar backscatter from cropland and must be considered when making radar measurements over bare or sparsely vegetated fields; (2) while the effect decrease with increasing frequency, it is still large (5 dB) at 13.3 GHz; (3) row effects are independent of linear polarization; (4) there is a strong aspect angle sensitivity which is a function of the scene and radar system parameters

An unconventional approach to imaging radar calibration

An unconventional approach to imaging radar calibration was considered for the entire system, including the imaging processing as a measurement instrument. The technique made use of a calibrated aircraft scatterometer as a secondary standard to measure the backscatter (sigma zero) of large units of constant roughness. These measured roughness units when viewed by an imaging radar system can be used to provide gray scale level, corresponding to known degrees of roughness. To obtain a calibrated aircraft scatterometer, a homogeneous smooth surface was measured by both the aircraft scatterometer and a sphere calibrated ground system. This provided a measure of the precision and accuracy of the aircraft system. The aircraft system was then used to measure large roughness units in the Death Valley, California area. Transfer of the measured roughness units to radar imagery was demonstrated

How Wearable Technology Will Replace Verbal Authentication or Passwords for Universal Secure Authentication for Healthcare

Technology use is increasing in healthcare services, creating a concern for privacy, security, accessibility, and sharing of personal information. The issue increases for persons with disabilities. Cognitive, physical, or multiple disabilities make identification of individuals difficult or impossible, thus increasing the need for a caregiver or family member to verify the individual’s identity. The paper will present a conceptual model of knowledge contribution in patient authentication without verbal information exchange through the following factors: authentication with wearable technology, central location for personal information, and an authentication context model direction

Work and non-work adjustments of public sector expatriates

Version of RecordResearch on public sector expatriates is not very common, despite their increasing numbers. This is lamentable, since our much more advanced knowledge about private sector expatriates may be less applicable to their public sector counterparts. To rectify this deficiency, U.S. Department of Defense administrators assigned to U.S. embassies worldwide were targeted for this study. Results indicated that, in contrast to recent studies of private sector expatriates, stress experienced by the respondents outside work may only have a limited cross-domain effect on the level of stress in the work place. Interaction adjustment had a positive association with work adjustment but general adjustment had no relationship with the adjustment to work. Additionally, the extent of self-efficacy of the public sector expatriates was not associated with work adjustment, neither directly or indirectly. Implications of these findings are discussed in detail.Fenner, C. R. & Selmer, J. (2007, October). Work and non-work adjustments of public sector expatriates. Presented at the Academy of International Business U.S. Northeast Chapter Regional Meeting, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.ed

Molecular epidemiology of invasive methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus strains circulating at a Swiss University Hospital

In contrast to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, little is known of the distribution of spa types among methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA). We have analyzed 101 nonrepetitive invasive MSSA isolates from infected patients, consecutively isolated during 14months between 2006 and 2007 at University Hospital Basel. They were genetically characterized according to S. aureus protein A (spa) types and important virulence-associated genes. Sixty-five different spa types corresponding to nine different spa clonal complexes were observed. Analysis of different virulence genes showed a frequency of 17% for toxic-shock syndrome toxin and 5% for exfoliative toxin D. In conclusion, spa typing revealed a great genetic diversity without predominant spa type, not providing evidence for clonal spreadin

Characterization of Alkali Metal Dispensers and Non-Evaporable Getter Pumps in Ultra-High Vacuum Systems for Cold Atomic Sensors

A glass ultrahigh vacuum chamber with rubidium alkali metal dispensers and non-evaporable getter pumps has been developed and used to create a cold atomic sample in a chamber that operates with only passive vacuum pumps. The ion-mass spectrum of evaporated gases from the alkali metal dispenser has been recorded as a function of dispenser current. The efficacy of the non-evaporable getter pumps in promoting and maintaining vacuum has been characterized by observation of the Rb vapor optical absorption on the D2 transition at 780 nm and vacuum chamber pressure rate of rise tests. We have demonstrated a sample of laser-cooled Rb atoms in this chamber when isolated and operating without active vacuum pumps