Sustainability transitions in coastal shipping: The role of regime segmentation

Maritime transport has received little attention in sustainability transitions research. This sector is mature and heterogeneous, which suggests the need for a more nuanced perspective on socio-technical regimes to understand variation in conditions for adoption of novel technologies that may support sustainability transitions. We consider this important in order to develop more efficient policy to decarbonize the shipping sector. We develop a framework that explicitly differentiates task and institutional environment of user regimes, enabling us to identify regime segmentation and its influence on three key transition conditions: technology maturity and fit, system integration and infrastructure, and acceptability and legitimacy. We apply our framework to analyse development and uptake of battery-electric energy storage solutions within three segments (coastal ferry, coastal fishing, and offshore supply) of Norwegian coastal shipping. Our analysis suggests that the transition process unfolds along different pathways in different user segments, pointing to a need for segment-specific policy instruments

UV-LED

UV-LED is part of a small satellite technology demonstration mission that will demonstrate non-contacting charge control of an isolated or floating mass using new solid-state ultra-violet light emitting diodes (UV-LEDs). Integrated to the Saudisat-4 spacecraft and launched onboard the Dnepr in June 19, 2014, the project is a collaboration between the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC), Stanford University, and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). This technology demonstration will validate a novel method of charge control that will improve the performance of drag-free spacecraft allowing for concurrent science collection during charge management operations as well as reduce the mass, power and volume required while increasing lifetime and reliability of a charge management subsystem. These improvements are crucial to the success of ground breaking missions such as LISA and BBO, and demonstrate the ability of low cost small satellite missions to provide technological advances that far exceed mission cost

Towards a sustainability transition in the maritime shipping sector: the role of market segment characteristics

Maritime transport is arguably a neglected empirical field within sustainability transitions research, despite the global importance of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other pollutants also from this sector. What makes this especially interesting from a sustainability transitions perspective is that low- and zero-carbon energy (LoZeC) technologies would need to be implemented in a mature, multi-segmented sector that, similar to onshore transport, is highly heterogeneous in that it includes vessels ranging from massive inter-continental freight and bulk carriers to small passenger vessels. This suggests the need for a more differentiated and nuanced perspective on socio-technical regimes as well as on the emerging technological innovation systems and their interaction with each other. More specifically, we focus on the particular task and institutional environments that characterize different market segments. In this article we analyze the evolution of battery-electric (BE) energy storage in the maritime shipping sector (MSS), employing a framework that combines the multi-level perspective (MLP) and the functions of technological innovation systems (TIS) approach. Taken together, our analysis suggests that the MSS transition process is likely to unfold along different pathways in different market segments, and that different market segments will have different impacts and influences on TIS functionality. In summary, we contribute to the sustainability transitions literature by explicitly addressing the influence of market segment characteristics on regime susceptibility and TIS functionality. From a policy perspective, this points to a need for segment-specific policy instruments

Analisis Kekuatan Massa Batugamping Dengan Menggunakan Kaidah Hoek-Brown Failure Criterion-Roclab Di Daerah Gunung Sudo Kabupaten Gunung Kidul YOGYAKARTA

The research area is a limestone quarry region prospect, located in Gunung Sudo, Gunung Kidul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta Province. Safety factor of bench in limestone quarry is extremely determined by rock mass quality. The aim of this research is analyzing of rock mass strength of limestone in the quarry prospect using the Hoek-Brown failure criterion. The research used quantitative method. To obtain rock mass strength analysis of limestone needs some parameters. The main parameters are uniaxial compressive strength of intact rock, GSI, lithology, disturbance factor, unit weight and application for slope (height).To solve this analysis is assisted by Roclab software. The Roclab is a software program for determining rock mass strength parameters based on the generalized Hoek-Brown failure criterion. Final result of the research will be used for safely mine design of the limestone quarry

The effects of knee joint angle on neuromuscular activity during electrostimulation in healthy older adults

Introduction Electrostimulation devices stimulate the common peroneal nerve, producing a calf muscle-pump action to promote venous circulation. Whether knee joint angle influences calf neuromuscular activity remains unclear. Our aim was to determine the effects of knee joint angle on lower limb neuromuscular activity during electrostimulation. Methods Fifteen healthy, older adults underwent 60 min of electrostimulation, with the knee joint at three different angles (0°, 45° or 90° flexion; random order; 20 min each). Outcome variables included electromyography of the peroneus longus, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis and discomfort. Results Knee angle did not influence tibialis anterior and peroneus longus neuromuscular activity during electrostimulation. Neuromuscular activity was greater in the gastrocnemius medialis (p = 0.002) and lateralis (p = 0.002) at 90°, than 0° knee angle. Electrostimulation intensity was positively related to neuromuscular activity for each muscle, with a knee angle effect for the gastrocnemius medialis (p = 0.05). Conclusion Results suggest that during electrostimulation, knee joint angle influenced gastrocnemii neuromuscular activity; increased gastrocnemius medialis activity across all intensities (at 90°), when compared to 0° and 45° flexion; and did not influence peroneus longus and tibialis anterior activity. Greater electrostimulation-evoked gastrocnemii activity has implications for producing a more forceful calf muscle-pump action, potentially further improving venous flow

Abscisic Acid Insensitive 4 transcription factor is an important player in the response of Arabidopsis thaliana to two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) feeding.

Plants growing in constantly changeable environmental conditions are compelled to evolve regulatory mechanisms to cope with biotic and abiotic stresses. Effective defence to invaders is largely connected with phytohormone regulation, resulting in the production of numerous defensive proteins and specialized metabolites. In our work, we elucidated the role of the Abscisic Acid Insensitive 4 (ABI4) transcription factor in the plant response to the two-spotted spider mite (TSSM). This polyphagous mite is one of the most destructive herbivores, which sucks mesophyll cells of numerous crop and wild plants. Compared to the wild-type (Col-0) Arabidopsis thaliana plants, the abi4 mutant demonstrated increased susceptibility to TSSM, reflected as enhanced female fecundity and greater frequency of mite leaf damage after trypan blue staining. Because ABI4 is regarded as an important player in the plastid-to-nucleus retrograde signalling process, we investigated the plastid envelope membrane dynamics using stroma-associated fluorescent marker. Our results indicated a clear increase in the number of stroma-filled tubular structures deriving from the plastid membrane (stromules) in the close proximity of the site of mite leaf damage, highlighting the importance of chloroplast-derived signals in the response to TSSM feeding activity

Neurobehavioral consequences of chronic intrauterine opioid exposure in infants and preschool children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

<b>Background</b><p></p> It is assumed within the accumulated literature that children born of pregnant opioid dependent mothers have impaired neurobehavioral function as a consequence of chronic intrauterine opioid use.<p></p> <b>Methods</b><p></p> Quantitative and systematic review of the literature on the consequences of chronic maternal opioid use during pregnancy on neurobehavioral function of children was conducted using the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched Cinahl, EMBASE, PsychINFO and MEDLINE between the periods of January 1995 to January 2012.<p></p> <b>Results</b><p></p> There were only 5 studies out of the 200 identified that quantitatively reported on neurobehavioral function of children after maternal opioid use during pregnancy. All 5 were case control studies with the number of exposed subjects within the studies ranging from 33–143 and 45–85 for the controls. This meta-analysis showed no significant impairments, at a non-conservative significance level of p < 0.05, for cognitive, psychomotor or observed behavioural outcomes for chronic intra-uterine exposed infants and pre-school children compared to non-exposed infants and children. However, all domains suggested a trend to poor outcomes in infants/children of opioid using mothers. The magnitude of all possible effects was small according to Cohen’s benchmark criteria.<p></p> <b>Conclusions</b><p></p> Chronic intra-uterine opioid exposed infants and pre-school children experienced no significant impairment in neurobehavioral outcomes when compared to non-exposed peers, although in all domains there was a trend to poorer outcomes. The findings of this review are limited by the small number of studies analysed, the heterogenous populations and small numbers within the individual studies. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine if any neuropsychological impairments appear after the age of 5 years and to help investigate further the role of environmental risk factors on the effect of ‘core’ phenotypes

Imaging Magnetic Focusing of Coherent Electron Waves

The magnetic focusing of electrons has proven its utility in fundamental studies of electron transport. Here we report the direct imaging of magnetic focusing of electron waves, specifically in a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). We see the semicircular trajectories of electrons as they bounce along a boundary in the 2DEG, as well as fringes showing the coherent nature of the electron waves. Imaging flow in open systems is made possible by a cooled scanning probe microscope. Remarkable agreement between experiment and theory demonstrates our ability to see these trajectories and to use this system as an interferometer. We image branched electron flow as well as the interference of electron waves. This technique can visualize the motion of electron waves between two points in an open system, providing a straightforward way to study systems that may be useful for quantum information processing and spintronics

Methods for specifying the target difference in a randomised controlled trial : the Difference ELicitation in TriAls (DELTA) systematic review

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Nurses' perceptions and experiences of communication in the operating theatre: a focus group interview

UNLABELLED: Nurses' perceptions and experiences of communication in the operating theatre: a focus group interview BACKGROUND: Communication programmes are well established in nurse education. The focus of programmes is most often on communicating with patients with less attention paid to inter-professional communication or skills essential for working in specialised settings. Although there are many anecdotal reports of communication within the operating theatre, there are few empirical studies. This paper explores communication behaviours for effective practice in the operating theatre as perceived by nurses and serves as a basis for developing training. METHODS: A focus group interview was conducted with seven experienced theatre nurses from a large London teaching hospital. The interview explored their perceptions of the key as well as unique features of effective communication skills in the operating theatre. Data was transcribed and thematically analysed until agreement was achieved by the two authors. RESULTS: There was largely consensus on the skills deemed necessary for effective practice including listening, clarity of speech and being polite. Significant influences on the nature of communication included conflict in role perception and organisational issues. Nurses were often expected to work outside of their role which either directly or indirectly created barriers for effective communication. Perceptions of a lack of collaborative team effort also influenced communication. CONCLUSION: Although fundamental communication skills were identified for effective practice in the operating theatre, there were significant barriers to their use because of confusion over clarity of roles (especially nurses' roles) and the implications for teamwork. Nurses were dissatisfied with several aspects of communication. Future studies should explore the breadth and depth of this dissatisfaction in other operating theatres, its impact on morale and importantly on patient safety. Interprofessional communication training for operating theatre staff based in part on the key issues identified in this study may help to create clarity in roles and focus attention on effective teamwork and promote clinical safety