Spatial variability of soil properties and soil erodibility in the Alqueva reservoir watershed

The aim of this work is to investigate how the spatial variability of soil properties and soil erodibility (K factor) were affected by the changes in land use allowed by irrigation with water from a reservoir in a semiarid area. To this end, three areas representative of different land uses (agroforestry grassland, lucerne crop and olive orchard) were studied within a 900 ha farm. The interrelationships between variables were analyzed by multivariate techniques and extrapolated using geostatistics. The results confirmed differences between land uses for all properties analyzed, which was explained mainly by the existence of diverse management practices (tillage, fertilization and irrigation), vegetation cover and local soil characteristics. Soil organic matter, clay and nitrogen content decreased significantly, while the K factor increased with intensive cultivation. The HJ-Biplot methodology was used to represent the variation of soil erodibility properties grouped in land uses. Native grassland was the least correlated with the other land uses. The K factor demonstrated high correlation mainly with very fine sand and silt. The maps produced with geostatistics were crucial to understand the current spatial variability in the Alqueva region. Facing the intensification of land-use conversion, a sustainable management is needed to introduce protective measures to control soil erosion

Call-options in Peer-to-Peer Energy Markets

This paper proposes the novel application of call-options for financial loss mitigation in a peer-to-peer (P2P) energy market. P2P energy markets present the opportunity for end-users to trade electricity among themselves by managing their electricity usage and production capabilities. But variability characteristics of renewable resources pose a fundamental challenge to their integration into the grid as well as participating in emerging P2P energy markets. The growing penetration of renewable supply will increase the need for tools to mitigate potential energy traders' financial losses. This paper proposes and evaluates the application of call-option contracts in P2P markets to hedge against financial losses related to power shortfall in renewable supply. A case study is presented, showing that P2P traders might have to bear financial losses when they cannot meet their market obligations, and how options can be used to mitigate such losses

Economic Evaluation of Wind Energy as an Alternative to Natural Gas Powered Irrigation

High natural gas prices have agricultural producers searching for alternative energy sources for irrigation. The economic feasibility of electric and hybrid (electric/wind) systems are evaluated as alternatives to natural gas powered irrigation. Texas Panhandle and Southern Kansas farms are assessed with a quarter-mile sprinkler system, three crops, and two pumping lifts. Breakeven points identify the price at which conversion from a natural gas irrigation system to an electric or hybrid system is cost effective. Results indicate electricity is a more feasible energy source for irrigation and policy changes such as net metering are necessary to make hybrid systems viable.electricity, irrigation, natural gas, wind energy, Agribusiness, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, International Development, Land Economics/Use, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Q12, Q20, Q42,

Alphabetisierung von Asylsuchenden und Flüchtlingen im Kanton Bern: Eine empirische Untersuchung der Alpha-Box

Anders als in Österreich und Deutschland ist die Alphabetisierungsarbeit mit Migranten weder Teil des Schweizer Rahmencurriculums noch in einem gesonderten Konzept spezifiziert. Im Unterschied zu Deutsch als Fremd- und Zweitsprache kann im Bereich der Alphabetisierung nur auf wenig Unterrichtsmaterial zurückgegriffen werden. In dieser Masterarbeit wird die Alpha-Box von Alexis Feldmeier, der auch das Konzept für einen bundesweiten Alphabetisierungskurs (DE) geschrieben hat, vorgestellt und ihre Vorteile für einen erwachsenengerechten Alphabetisierungsunterricht akzentuiert. In der wissenschaftlichen Auseinandersetzung mit der Alpha-Box konnten positive empirische Resultate festgestellt werden: Die Lernenden zeigten einen gesteigerten Lernerfolg und eine erhöhte Motivation. Zudem zeichnet sich die Alpha-Box durch Selbststeuerung und Teilnehmerorientierung aus – beides Aspekte die sowohl für eine respektvolle Lernatmosphäre für Erwachsene erforderlich sind, sowie für den weiteren Zweitsprachenunterricht

One-dimensional definable topological spaces in o-minimal structures

We study the properties of topological spaces $(X,\tau)$, where $X$ is a definable set in an o-minimal structure and the topology $\tau$ on $X$ has a basis that is (uniformly) definable. Examples of such spaces include the canonical euclidean topology on definable sets, definable order topologies, definable quotient spaces and definable metric spaces. We use o-minimality to undertake their study in topological terms, focussing here in particular on spaces of dimension one. We present several results, given in terms of piecewise decompositions and existence of definable embeddings and homeomorphisms, for various classes of spaces that are described in terms of classical separation axioms and definable analogues of properties such as separability, compactness and metrizability. For example, we prove that all Hausdorff one-dimensional definable topologies are piecewise the euclidean, discrete, or upper or lower limit topology; we give a characterization of all one-dimensional, regular, Hausdorff definable topologies in terms of spaces that have a lexicographic ordering or a topology generalizing the Alexandrov double of the euclidean topology; and we show that, if the underlying structure expands an ordered field, then any one-dimensional Hausdorff definable topology that is piecewise euclidean is definably homeomorphic to a euclidean space. As applications of these results, we prove definable versions of several open conjectures from set-theoretic topology, due to Gruenhage and Fremlin, on the existence of a 3-element basis for regular, Hausdorff topologies and on the nature of perfectly normal, compact, Hausdorff spaces; we obtain universality results for some classes of Hausdorff and regular topologies; and we characterize when certain metrizable definable topologies admit a definable metric

Partial shape matching using transformation parameter similarity

In this paper, we present a method for non-rigid, partial shape matching in vector graphics. Given a user-specified query region in a 2D shape, similar regions are found, even if they are non-linearly distorted. Furthermore, a non-linear mapping is established between the query regions and these matches, which allows the automatic transfer of editing operations such as texturing. This is achieved by a two-step approach. First, pointwise correspondences between the query region and the whole shape are established. The transformation parameters of these correspondences are registered in an appropriate transformation space. For transformations between similar regions, these parameters form surfaces in transformation space, which are extracted in the second step of our method. The extracted regions may be related to the query region by a non-rigid transform, enabling non-rigid shape matching. In this paper, we present a method for non-rigid, partial shape matching in vector graphics. Given a user-specified query region in a 2D shape, similar regions are found, even if they are non-linearly distorted. Furthermore, a non-linear mapping is established between the query regions and these matches, which allows the automatic transfer of editing operations such as texturing. This is achieved by a two-step approach. First, pointwise correspondences between the query region and the whole shape are established. The transformation parameters of these correspondences are registered in an appropriate transformation space. For transformations between similar regions, these parameters form surfaces in transformation space, which are extracted in the second step of our method. The extracted regions may be related to the query region by a non-rigid transform, enabling non-rigid shape matching

Case Management & Medication Addiction Treatment for Individuals Leaving Jail: The Bridge/El Puente Program in Hampden County

The Bridge/El Puente program will serve 300 newly released inmates from the Hampden County Correctional Center (HCCC) over 3 years. Inmates have a history of opiate and/or alcohol addiction, and are at high risk or are diagnosed with HIV or HCV. HCCC is now offering medication assisted treatment (MAT), extended release naltrexone (Vivitrol), buprenorphine and methadone, prior to release. Bi-cultural/bi-lingual case managers help inmates to continue or to start MAT once back in the community. This includes bridge prescriptions, addressing insurance issues, setting up first appointment and logistical help with getting to MAT appointments. Additionally, Bridge case managers address the often-large array of other needs newly released people struggle with upon return to the community. Bridge/El Puente is funded by SAMHSA/CSAT. In our second year, we recently obtained IRB approval to examine differences in outcomes between inmates who choose buprenorphine, naltrexone or methadone prior to release from jail and those who reject/are not offered MAT prior to release despite having an opioid use disorder. While many do start MAT once back in the community, we are interested in understanding whether initiation of MAT while in jail significantly improves outcomes

Microarray analysis of RNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded and matched fresh-frozen ovarian adenocarcinomas

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gene expression profiling of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples represents a valuable approach for advancing oncology diagnostics and enhancing retrospective clinical studies; however, at present, this methodology still requires optimization and thus has not been extensively used. Here, we utilized thorough quality control methods to assess RNA extracted from FFPE samples and then compared it to RNA extracted from matched fresh-frozen (FF) counterparts. We preformed genome-wide expression profiling of FF and FFPE ovarian serous adenocarcinoma sample pairs and compared their gene signatures to normal ovary samples.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>RNA from FFPE samples was extracted using two different methods, Ambion and Agencourt, and its quality was determined by profiling starting total RNA on Bioanalyzer and by amplifying increasing size fragments of <it>beta actin </it>(<it>ACTB</it>) and <it>claudin 3 </it>(<it>CLDN3</it>) by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Five matched FF and FFPE ovarian serous adenocarcinoma samples, as well as a set of normal ovary samples, were profiled using whole genome Agilent microarrays. Reproducibility of the FF and FFPE replicates was measured using Pearson correlation, whereas comparison between the FF and FFPE samples was done using a Z-score analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Data analysis showed high reproducibility of expression within each FF and FFPE method, whereas matched FF and FFPE pairs demonstrated lower similarity, emphasizing an inherent difference between the two sample types. Z-score analysis of matched FF and FFPE samples revealed good concordance of top 100 differentially expressed genes with the highest correlation of 0.84. Genes characteristic of ovarian serous adenocarcinoma, including a well known marker <it>CLDN3</it>, as well as potentially some novel markers, were identified by comparing gene expression profiles of ovarian adenocarcinoma to those of normal ovary.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Conclusively, we showed that systematic assessment of FFPE samples at the RNA level is essential for obtaining good quality gene expression microarray data. We also demonstrated that profiling of not only FF but also of FFPE samples can be successfully used to identify differentially expressed genes characteristic of ovarian carcinoma.</p