1,228 research outputs found
Importance of Baseline Specification in Evaluating Conservation Interventions and Achieving No Net Loss of Biodiversity
There is an urgent need to improve the evaluation of conservation interventions. This requires specifying an objective and a frame of reference from which to measure performance. Reference frames can be baselines (i.e., known biodiversity at a fixed point in history) or counterfactuals (i.e., a scenario that would have occurred without the intervention). Biodiversity offsets are interventions with the objective of no net loss of biodiversity (NNL). We used biodiversity offsets to analyze the effects of the choice of reference frame on whether interventions met stated objectives. We developed 2 models to investigate the implications of setting different frames of reference in regions subject to various biodiversity trends and anthropogenic impacts. First, a general analytic model evaluated offsets against a range of baseline and counterfactual specifications. Second, a simulation model then replicated these results with a complex real world case study: native grassland offsets in Melbourne, Australia. Both models showed that achieving NNL depended upon the interaction between reference frame and background biodiversity trends. With a baseline, offsets were less likely to achieve NNL where biodiversity was decreasing than where biodiversity was stable or increasing. With a no‐development counterfactual, however, NNL was achievable only where biodiversity was declining. Otherwise, preventing development was better for biodiversity. Uncertainty about compliance was a stronger determinant of success than uncertainty in underlying biodiversity trends. When only development and offset locations were considered, offsets sometimes resulted in NNL, but not across an entire region. Choice of reference frame determined feasibility and effort required to attain objectives when designing and evaluating biodiversity offset schemes. We argue the choice is thus of fundamental importance for conservation policy. Our results shed light on situations in which biodiversity offsets may be an inappropriate policy instrumen
Population Monte Carlo algorithms
We give a cross-disciplinary survey on ``population'' Monte Carlo algorithms.
In these algorithms, a set of ``walkers'' or ``particles'' is used as a
representation of a high-dimensional vector. The computation is carried out by
a random walk and split/deletion of these objects. The algorithms are developed
in various fields in physics and statistical sciences and called by lots of
different terms -- ``quantum Monte Carlo'', ``transfer-matrix Monte Carlo'',
``Monte Carlo filter (particle filter)'',``sequential Monte Carlo'' and
``PERM'' etc. Here we discuss them in a coherent framework. We also touch on
related algorithms -- genetic algorithms and annealed importance sampling.Comment: Title is changed (Population-based Monte Carlo -> Population Monte
Carlo). A number of small but important corrections and additions. References
are also added. Original Version is read at 2000 Workshop on
Information-Based Induction Sciences (July 17-18, 2000, Syuzenji, Shizuoka,
Japan). No figure
The structural neuroanatomy of music emotion recognition: evidence from frontotemporal lobar degeneration
Natural Resource Protection and Petroleum Development in Alaska: A Summary
Performed for Office of Biological Services Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Department of the Interior
Contract No. 14-16-0009-79-123
Job No. 6347-011-2
Gauge-Invariant Initial Conditions and Early Time Perturbations in Quintessence Universes
We present a systematic treatment of the initial conditions and evolution of
cosmological perturbations in a universe containing photons, baryons,
neutrinos, cold dark matter, and a scalar quintessence field. By formulating
the evolution in terms of a differential equation involving a matrix acting on
a vector comprised of the perturbation variables, we can use the familiar
language of eigenvalues and eigenvectors. As the largest eigenvalue of the
evolution matrix is fourfold degenerate, it follows that there are four
dominant modes with non-diverging gravitational potential at early times,
corresponding to adiabatic, cold dark matter isocurvature, baryon isocurvature
and neutrino isocurvature perturbations. We conclude that quintessence does not
lead to an additional independent mode.Comment: Replaced with published version, 12 pages, 2 figure
Zitterbewegung in External Magnetic Field: Classic versus Quantum Approach
We investigate variations of the Zitterbewegung frequency of electron due to
an external static and uniform magnetic field employing the expectation value
quantum approach, and compare our results with the classical model of spinning
particles. We demonstrate that these two so far compatible approaches are not
in agreement in the presence of an external uniform static magnetic field, in
which the classical approach breaks the usual symmetry of free particles and
antiparticles states, i.e. it leads to CP violation. Hence, regarding the
Zitterbewegung frequency of electron, the classical approach in the presence of
an external magnetic field is unlikely to correctly describe the spin of
electron, while the quantum approach does, as expected. We also show that the
results obtained via the expectation value are in close agreement with the
quantum approach of the Heisenberg picture derived in the literature. However,
the method we use is capable of being compared with the classical approach
regarding the spin aspects. The classical interpretation of spin produced by
the altered Zitterbewegung frequency, in the presence of an external magnetic
field, are discussed.Comment: 16 pages, no figure
First Principles Calculations of Fe on GaAs (100)
We have calculated from first principles the electronic structure of 0.5
monolayer upto 5 monolayer thick Fe layers on top of a GaAs (100) surface. We
find the Fe magnetic moment to be determined by the Fe-As distance. As
segregates to the top of the Fe film, whereas Ga most likely is found within
the Fe film. Moreover, we find an asymmetric in-plane contraction of our
unit-cell along with an expansion perpendicular to the surface. We predict the
number of Fe 3d-holes to increase with increasing Fe thickness on -doped
GaAs.Comment: 9 pages, 14 figures, submitted to PR
Adjustment to colostomy: stoma acceptance, stoma care self-efficacy and interpersonal relationships
‘The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com.’ Copyright Blackwell Publishing. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2007.04446.xThis paper is a report of a study to examine adjustment and its relationship with stoma acceptance and social interaction, and the link between stoma care self-efficacy and adjustment in the presence of acceptance and social interactions.Peer reviewe
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