An analytic technique for statistically modeling random atomic clock errors in estimation

Minimum variance estimation requires that the statistics of random observation errors be modeled properly. If measurements are derived through the use of atomic frequency standards, then one source of error affecting the observable is random fluctuation in frequency. This is the case, for example, with range and integrated Doppler measurements from satellites of the Global Positioning and baseline determination for geodynamic applications. An analytic method is presented which approximates the statistics of this random process. The procedure starts with a model of the Allan variance for a particular oscillator and develops the statistics of range and integrated Doppler measurements. A series of five first order Markov processes is used to approximate the power spectral density obtained from the Allan variance

L1-determined ideals in group algebras of exponential Lie groups

A locally compact group $G$ is said to be $\ast$-regular if the natural map \Psi:\Prim C^\ast(G)\to\Prim_{\ast} L^1(G) is a homeomorphism with respect to the Jacobson topologies on the primitive ideal spaces \Prim C^\ast(G) and \Prim_{\ast} L^1(G). In 1980 J. Boidol characterized the $\ast$-regular ones among all exponential Lie groups by a purely algebraic condition. In this article we introduce the notion of $L^1$-determined ideals in order to discuss the weaker property of primitive $\ast$-regularity. We give two sufficient criteria for closed ideals $I$ of $C^\ast(G)$ to be $L^1$-determined. Herefrom we deduce a strategy to prove that a given exponential Lie group is primitive $\ast$-regular. The author proved in his thesis that all exponential Lie groups of dimension $\le 7$ have this property. So far no counter-example is known. Here we discuss the example $G=B_5$, the only critical one in dimension $\le 5$

Pedagogy First, Technology Second: teaching & learning information literacy online

This paper explores the pedagogical and technical issues, challenges and outcomes of creating an online information literacy course. Currently under development, this course will be offered as a parallel study option to Advanced Information Retrieval Skills (AIRS:IFN001 ) for QUT postgraduate students, a compulsory face-to-face course for all QUT research students. The aim of this project is to optimise students’ access to AIRS:IFN001 and meet the University’s objectives regarding flexible delivery and online teaching. Still in its developmental stages, AIRS::Online extends beyond the current notion of static online information literacy tutorials by providing a facilitated, student focussed learning environment comprising content and learning experiences enhanced by appropriate multimedia technology and resources which engage students in planned facilitated and/or self-paced learning events. Course assessment is formative and summative, and is comprised of a research log and reflective journal to provide a means for reviewing the content and key process of advanced information searching and retrieval

Experiment K-6-08. Biochemical and histochemical observations of vastus medialis

Muscles of the hindlimb in the rat have been used to demonstrate the effects of unloading in weightlessness and in animal models used to mimic weightlessness. The vastus medialis (VM) is discussed here. Samples were obtained from rats exposed to weightlessness for 12 days in Cosmos 1887 (Experiment K-6-08, coordinated by Dr. V.S. Oganov). The principal objective of this study was to ascertain if the vastus medialis responded to 12 days of microgravity exposure. The loss in muscle mass is greatest, -43 percent, when comparing F vs B, and least, -13 percent, when comparing F vs. V. Taken at face value these differences may be misleading. Due to the variability of the muscle weight in the basal group, these muscle mass losses may be exaggerated. In terms of percent water, there were no differences between the flight and the control groups. In spite of the limited sample, researchers conclude that muscle mass changes in the VM are not significant. Although some of the morphological parameters suggest a small degree of atrophy in the vastus medialis, the biochemical analyses (protein, RNA and DNA) suggest that these may be minimal and functionally nonsignificant. The relatively similar CS and LDH activities of VM from F and various control groups, as well as the lack of difference in LPL activity between F and S rats, suggests that there is little or no effect on the oxidative or glycolytic function of this muscle. Since the VM is chiefly a mixed fast twitch muscle, these metabolic indices of energy production are relatively unchanged. The results of VM studies are in agreement with previous observations of another type II fast twitch muscle, the EDL, from SL-3 rats which did not respond markedly to weightlessness and whole body suspension

Monitoring and control of anaerobic digesters treating industrial effluents

Increasing charges by the private utilities for the treatment of industrial waste water are making on-site effluent treatment more attractive. On-site anaerobic digestion is increasingly being used by food processing factories as a cost effective solution to waste liquid waste disposal. Discharge of treated effluent to sewer or water course requires compliance to a maximum admissible concentration (MAC) value, therefore, there is a need for careful control of on-site waste water treatment. This research investigates the treatment of effluent from instant coffee production. This results in a liquid waste that contains recalcitrant and toxic compounds formed during the roasting process. This waste varies in strength and composition according to the different processes that are performed in the manufacture of instant coffee. Anaerobic filters are particularly attractive for wastes containing recalcitrant or inhibitory compounds requiring a long sludge age. Therefore, this study was aimed at firstly investigating the treatability of coffee waste, using anaerobic filters; and secondly monitoring and control of the digestion process in order to maintain a constant effluent quality. [Continues.

Pricing decisions in peer-to-peer and prosumer-centred electricity markets: Experimental analysis in Germany and the United Kingdom

Prosumer-centred electricity market models such as peer-to-peer communities can enable optimized supply and demand of locally generated electricity as well as an active participation of citizens in the energy transition. An important element of active participation is the improved ability of community members to identify and choose who they transact with in a much more granular way than is usual. Despite this key novelty and the social core of prosumer-centred markets, little is known about how citizens would trade with different actors involved in the system. This article reports a preregistered cross-national experiment investigating individual trading preferences in a peer-to-peer community with a variety of private and non-private trading actors. The data from the United Kingdom (n = 441) and Germany (n = 440) shows that set buying and selling prices strongly vary, pointing to three systematically different trading strategies that individuals apply as a function of involved trading actor. Findings moreover reveal that trading decisions are determined by individuals’ political orientation, place attachment, and climate change beliefs as well as individual differences in trust in the involved trading actor. Finally, the results illustrate high consistency in trading preferences across nations. However, nation-level differences emerged when decisions were made publicly visible, emphasising the need to consider context-effects in peer-to-peer system design. The findings have implications for the development of prosumer-centred energy models and the design of interventions to increase citizen participation across national contexts

Law handbook

2004 handbook for the faculty of La

Capturing the distributional impacts of long-term low-carbon transitions

Major policy proposals often require a distributional impact assessment, focusing on differential financial and other impacts across population segments. Such assessments are rare, however, at the multi-decadal scale addressed in long-term (e.g. to 2050) low carbon transition modelling. There is therefore a risk of socially inequitable outcomes, which in turn presents a socio-political risk for decision-makers driving transitions. This paper uses a literature review and expert interviews to identify mechanisms by which low carbon transitions could differentially impact population sub-groups. As well as impacts of policy costs on bills, this includes factors such as ability to connect to heat networks or install onsite generation or storage. An approach to exploring distributional impacts across a range of long term scenarios from a United Kingdom energy model (ESME), is proposed. This sets out how bill changes and other costs associated with low carbon transition could impact different income quintiles in the UK