417 research outputs found
Large deviation analysis of a simple information engine
Information thermodynamics provides a framework for studying the effect of
feedback loops on entropy production. It has enabled the understanding of novel
thermodynamic systems such as the information engine which can be seen as a
modern version of `Maxwell's Daemon', whereby the feedback controller is acting
as a Daemon, processing information gained about the system in order to do
work. Here, we analyse a simple model of such an engine and provide a detailed
analysis of its fluctuation properties, including the large deviations of
information. We find an exact expression of the large deviation rate function
for a two-site version of our model, and provide an approximate analysis for
larger systems which is corroborated by simulation data.Comment: 12 pages, 13 figure
The Cytogenetics of the Salivary Gland Chromosomes of Three Wild Type Strains of Drosophila melanogaster
This investigation involves the cytogenetics of three strains of field-collected, wild-type Illinois Drosophila melanogaster. These three strains were collected from Charleston, Channahon, and Olney, Illinois, in 1967.
The purpose of this study was to compare cytogenetically these three strains and to determine if there exists differences among them. First, the chromosomes themselves were studied for the purpose of identifying the four chromosomes of D. melanogaster by their characteristic banding patterns. Then, the chromosomes of the three strains were examined for chromosomal aberrations, principally inversions. The cytogenetics of the chromosomes of the three strains were then compared and contrasted.
Photographs were taken of the chromosomes, the aberrations, and other chromosomal structures of cytogenetical significance to illustrate these similarities and dissimilarities, if any, among the three strains of Drosophila
Students with disability : data collection for reporting in New Zealand universities : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Rehabilitation at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
The Ministry of Education in New Zealand has dedicated funding to increase the participation of people with disability in tertiary education. However there has been no standardised system in place for defining disability, categorising impairment, or collecting, maintaining and reporting data about tertiary students with disability, in order to determine the eventual impact of this initiative. The present study utilised a cross-sectional survey in a single stage sampling procedure, to gather information from the eight New Zealand universities regarding definitions of disability and categories of impairment used to collect data, as well as the source of data collection and numerical characteristics of the population. Data collected showed a steady increase in the population of university students with disability from 3,039 in 1998 to 4,358 in 2000. However the findings were consistent with the evidence in the literature review that it is currently not possible to know the real number of these students because of the differences in data collection and reporting across institutions. These findings indicated that data was not sourced in the same way across institutions. Furthermore, information was kept in segregated databases in some institutions, which did not all have a means of exchanging data with their general student record system. The Ministry of Education's reporting template introduced in 2001 was found to provide only a partially standardised framework for reporting on data. There must also be a systematic method of collecting and maintaining data across tertiary institutions, including clarification of the sets of students to be counted, so that all institutions are counting students in the same way. The present study identified confusion in language and definitions, with the terms impairment, disability, illness and injury being used interchangeably. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health was suggested as providing a practical functional model for data collection, which could be used as a platform for establishing definitions and clarifying the language around disability and impairment, as well as providing an international standard for establishing consistency
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The history curriculum and its personal connection to students from minority ethnic backgrounds
Whereas history is seen by some as crucial in developing a sense of identity and fostering social cohesion, it is however, often based around narrowly nationalistic views of the past, and yet little is known about how students relate to the past they are taught. Thus, this paper focuses on the history curriculum and the ways in which students aged 12-14, from different ethnic backgrounds, relate to it. Moreover, the small-scale study which enabled this paper, focused, in particular, on whether students enjoyed and valued history and whether they felt any sense of personal connection to the topics studied. Drawing on survey data collected from 102 students and focus group discussions with 42 students, from two high schools, the findings indicate that although many students enjoy history, they fail to fully understand its value. Additionally most students, especially those from minority ethnic backgrounds, feel a lack of personal connection to the past, as they do not see themselves in the history they are taught
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