Fisher Information and Kinetic-energy Functionals: A Dequantization Approach

We strengthen the connection between Information Theory and quantum-mechanical systems using a recently developed dequantization procedure whereby quantum fluctuations latent in the quantum momentum are suppressed. The dequantization procedure results in a decomposition of the quantum kinetic energy as the sum of a classical term and a purely quantum term. The purely quantum term, which results from the quantum fluctuations, is essentially identical to the Fisher information. The classical term is complementary to the Fisher information and, in this sense, it plays a role analogous to that of the Shannon entropy. We demonstrate the kinetic energy decomposition for both stationary and nonstationary states and employ it to shed light on the nature of kinetic-energy functionals.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures. To appear in J. Comput. Appl. Mat

Implementation of a low-stakes daily assessment in a large introductory LAC course

Low-stakes assessments contribute to positive classroom culture, increase student confidence and preparation, provide feedback to the professor on common misconceptions, and open up lines of communication between students and professors. Here, I present an example of how Canvas can be leveraged to perform a daily, low-stakes assessment in a medium-to-large LAC introductory course. These daily assessments hold students accountable for attendance and participation without levying harsh penalties for personal circumstances, allow the professor to nimbly address misconceptions in real time, and increase the personal relationship between students and professor in a setting in which it would otherwise be easiest for students to remain anonymous faces. Student responses and feelings towards these daily assessments is generally positive and reinforces the benefits that the literature predicts they would have on sense of community, achievement, and overall preparedness for higher stakes exams

Reconstructing Landscape Use Patterns Using Strontium Isotope Ratios

This dissertation uses modern habitats and fauna to model the variability and predictive power of strontium isotope ratios in identifying dispersal patterns in primates and habitat preference in primate and non-primate fauna. It concludes that there are significant isotopic differences between gallery forest and xeric grassland habitats in the same area and that these differences are reflected in fauna with habitat preferences for one or the other. It also identifies the most reliable methodological approaches for identifying the philopatric and dispersing sex in primate communities. Finally, it applies this methodological recommendation to strontium isotope data from South African hominins, concluding that both Australopithecus africanus and Australopithecus robustus followed patterns of female dispersal and male philopatry while also suggesting a larger home range size for A. africanus

The parthogenesis of ulcerative colitis: The role of autoimmunity and microvascular injury.

Aims: To investigate the roles of autoimmunity and microvascular injury in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. Background: The aetiology of ulcerative colitis is unknown. A putative mucosal autoantigen, (UCAg), had been identified as tropomyosin, the presence of ANCA in ulcerative colitis suggested involvement of vascular factors; and disease demarcation suggested vascular anatomical distribution of disease. Methods: Using the monoclonal antibody 7E12H12, cellular localisation of the target antigen, UCAg, was studied. Comparative immunohistochemical studies were made of the staining patterns of 7E12H12 and anti-tropomyosin antibodies. The nature of the UCAg was examined further using SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. A novel dot-blot technique examined potential binding between tropomyosin and 7E12H12. In-vitro angiography examined the relation between vascular factors and the distribution of disease. The frequency of ANCA and the target antigen(s) was examined in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Results: Immunohistochemistry demonstrated plasma membrane localisation of UCAg and revealed additional supranuclear staining. Comparative immunostaining experiments failed to show a similar localisation pattern for tropomyosin. There was no relation between UCAg expression and disease activity. SDS-PAGE, Western blotting and dot-blot experiments confirmed the presence of UCAg and tropomyosin in colon protein extracts, but no reactivity between 7E12H12 and tropomyosin. In-vitro angiography of resected ulcerative colitis colon specimens revealed a consistent relationship between the marginal artery of the colon and disease extent. ANCA were found in 57% of patients with ulcerative colitis. Novel antigenic targets for ANCA were identified: ANCA directed against bactericidal/permeability increasing protein were found in 27% of patients. Conclusions: UCAg is not tropomyosin, but the nature of this antigen remains to be determined. Novel target antigens for ANCA, present in vasculitis, have been identified in ulcerative colitis. The extent of disease appears to be determined by the anatomy of the marginal artery. These data suggest a microvascular pathogenesis for ulcerative colitis

Introduction American Studies and American Science: An Analysis

Introduction American Studies and American Science: An Analysi

Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises: Evidence from Nigerian Business Environment

There is growing body of evidence supporting the relationship between planning practices and perceived benefits in organizations. Most of  the studies carried out have been limited only to large enterprises in developed economies. There is, however some fewer empirical work that has examined the relationship between planning and organizational performance in under-developed countries. To fill this gap, this study examined the relationship between formal planning and business performance having taken a sample of manufacturing SMEs in Nigeria. Data and relevant information elicited from selected respondents in SMEs were analyzed. Results of the analysis revealed that there exists a significant relationship between planning and performance of SMEs. The findings of the study provided some insight to fill the research gap and contribute to the literature which can be useful to owners and managers of SMEs

Valuing energy performance in home purchasing: an analysis of mortgage lending for sustainable buildings

Many UK lenders consider energy costs, but only as it relates to information about the customers and not the energy performance of the building. Lenders could include more detailed energy costs estimates that reflect energy performance alongside other ma jor household expenses when assessing customer affordability. At present, energy performance ratings required for all homes sold in the UK are of dubious quality and generally do not accurately reflect the likely energy costs. However, if lenders were to inc lude energy performance in their mortgage calculations this might ha ve the effect of improving the accuracy of energy performance ratings through market pressure. It may also have the consequence of increasing the value of more efficient homes, which would have lower energy costs and improve its affordability for customer s. It may also offer an opportunity for lenders to extend mortgages to improve the dwellings energy performance due to the potential increase in value. In this work, we set out the implications of mortgage lenders using the dwelling’s energy perfo rmance as part of their energy cost calculations. We also illustrate how improving the accuracy of ratings can achieve more precise estimates of energy costs. The implication of includ ing energy performance ratings when providing mortgages could result in £billions for lenders in terms of loan extensions and more accurately property values. It could also help potential purchasers understand the real costs of the properties they purchase

Comparing Spatial Interpolation Techniques of Local Urban Temperature for Heat-related Health Risk Estimation in a Subtropical City

INTRODUCTION: The threat of elevated temperatures and more intense and prolonged heat waves coupled with urban heat islands presents a significant risk to human health. City planners and policymakers need tools that predict how overheating risk varies within a city under different climate change and mitigation scenarios. A key driver of determining overheating risk is exposure to local urban temperatures and the extent to which such exposure may be modified by built environments where the majority of people spend their time. Due to the dispersion of monitoring stations, techniques are needed to extrapolate from single point measurements and their modifying determinants. This research aims to compare nine GIS spatial interpolation techniques of estimating street-level temperature in a subtropical city. METHODS: Taipei city, Taiwan, is located in a subtropical zone with one of the highest population densities in the world. Taipei experienced warmer winters and hotter summers in recent 10 years with average temperature from 16.4 to 30.1 °C, and expected to rise from 0.8(RCP2.6) to 3.2(RCP8.5)°C in 2081-2100. In this study, data from the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau weather stations and the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration air monitoring sites were used. Nine interpolation techniques were applied. These were validated by using records from two sources to cross-validate by comparing Standardised mean error and Standardised Root-Mean-Square error. RESULTS: Kriging techniques have better prediction performance than four non-geostatistical interpolation techniques. The performance of OCK techniques indicated the built environment, such as the nearby village park area or home density, can be important modifiers of external temperature in cities. DISCUSSION: Local urban climates are complex systems; selecting a robust interpolation technique that accounts for underlying drivers is essential for policymakers. This research provides the basis to further estimate overheating risk by estimating local outdoor street-level temperature and the modifying effects of the built environment

Energy and urban built form: an empirical and statistical approach

The geometrical forms of buildings have important effects on their use of energy. These relationships are explored at the scale of the entire non-domestic building stock of London. A three-dimensional digital model of the city is used to make a series of geometrical measures: building volume, exposed surface area (walls plus roof) and plan depth. These are compared with figures for the consumption of gas and electricity published by the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The comparisons are made at different levels of spatial aggregation, from boroughs to census districts. Strong correlations are demonstrated between exposed surface area and both gas and electricity use. The analysis also provides some evidence of a sharp increase in electricity use in districts with buildings whose depth in plan exceeds 14 m (in which air-conditioning and permanent artificial lighting are typically required). A multiple regression model is used to measure the contribution of these effects to total energy use, as compared with floor area, activities and number of employees