Development of Surfaces Optically Suitable for Flat Solar Panels

Innovations in reflectometry techniques are described; and the development of an absorbing selective coating is discussed along with details of surface properties. Conclusions as to the parameterization desired for practical applications of selective surfaces are provided

ICT skill frameworks: do they achieve their goals and users’ expectations?

Objective: To examine whether existing ICT skill frameworks achieve their goals and the expectations that end users may have. Methods: First we examine typical objectives and user expectations of ICT skill frameworks. Then three existing ICT skill frameworks, specifically SFIA, e-CF and SF for ICT, are surveyed and compared with each other in terms of their design choices and feature sets. The implications of some of these design choices are discussed, particularly where there are significant differences between the frameworks or where there are apparent conflicts with objectives or user expectations. We also identify salient features which are missing from all existing frameworks. Results: The existing frameworks differ in a number of significant areas, including the number of hard skills and the treatment of soft skills. Furthermore, all three frameworks surveyed might be considered somewhat complex in terms of defining skill proficiency using multiple attributes and the intricacy of the skill/proficiency mapping. There is also a lack of unambiguous and universal certification criteria, which limits the portability of the frameworks between organisations. Finally, automation of skills management is also hindered by the fact that the skills are defined in natural language without any specific structure or semantics that could be leveraged by advanced applications. Conclusions: The significant differences between and the complexity of existing ICT skill frameworks implies that debate is still required about how an ICT skill framework should be designed to be of maximum utility. Existing frameworks need to be extended or complemented to support important use cases around portability and automation

Environmental auditing of a packaging system for redesign: A case study exploration

Within the United Kingdom a significant portion of the energy consumed each year is done so through industry. It is therefore desirable to take measures that reduce this consumption. A process common to all manufacturing sectors is that of packaging, and this research focused on identifying, quantifying and reducing the environmental impact of one such system. It finally took the form of an abridged life cycle assessment focusing on the manufacturing and assembly stage of a packaging systems life. Two separate studies were conducted to evaluate the performance of specific tools for such environmental studies. Where, the total embodied energy and carbon of each sub-assembly of the systems was calculated and their contribution to the whole machine established. These were further broken down into material production and machine processes in order to establish where the major impacts were and potential areas for redesign. Both approaches were found to be resource hungry in their application, an output that may restrict their application in the type of company that operate in this domain. A surprising finding was that producing a design with lower environmental impact could be less expensive

ICT Skill Frameworks: Do They Achieve Their Goals and Users' Expectations?

Objective: To analyze critically the features of existing ICT skill frameworks.Methods: First a simple skill framework is introduced based upon the nominal division between hard and soft skills. Then three existing ICT skill frameworks, specifically SFIA, e-CF and SF for ICT, are compared with the simple skill framework and each other to understand and facilitate a critical analysis of their salient features.Results: The existing frameworks differ in a number of significant areas, including the number of hard skills and the treatment of soft skills. Furthermore, all three frameworks surveyed might be considered somewhat complex in terms of defining skill proficiency using multiple attributes and the intricacy of the skill/proficiency mapping. Finally, there is a lack of unambiguous and universal certification criteria, which limits the portability of the frameworks between organizations.Conclusions: The significant differences between and the complexity of existing ICT skill frameworks implies that debate is still required about how an ICT skill framework should be designed to be of maximum use. Furthermore, the lack of unambiguous and universal certification criteria is an inhibiting factor to the more wide scale use of such frameworks because it limits the portability between organizations

An Assessment of the Needs of Georgian Secondary Agricultural Educators

This purpose of this study was to determine the perception of secondary educators involved in Future Farmers of Georgia (FFG) schools throughout the country of Georgia concerning their needs for furthering the existing framework of agricultural education. The researchers used a modified focus group method to meet the aformentioned purpose of this study. The population for this study consisted of the high school agricultural education teachers and their administrators who were participating in the FFG Program (n=14). Qualitative data collected from the probe (first round) was used to generate a series of 46 statements. In the second round participants were asked to rank the 46 statements using a five point Likert-type scale. Due to events in the Former Republic of Georgia, the third round could not be conducted. Therefore, the researchers concluded that the round two data would be used to meet the purpose and objectives of this study. Participants strongly agreed that the FFG program strengthens leadership skills among their students and students have become more involved in practical/labor activities. They also agreed that gaining knowledge and skills from the FFG program will improve the future development of agricultural education in the country. Participants also strongly agreed that improvement of schools’ materials, technology, and development are necessary to improve the FFG program. Participants were either neutral or agreed with the following statements: due to the FFG program, academic performance has been increased among students; and students have greater academic success in history and geography

Computer simulations show that Neanderthal facial morphology represents adaptation to cold and high energy demands, but not heavy biting

Three adaptive hypotheses have been forwarded to explain the distinctive Neanderthal face: (i) an improved ability to accommodate high anterior bite forces, (ii) more effective conditioning of cold and/or dry air and, (iii) adaptation to facilitate greater ventilatory demands. We test these hypotheses using three-dimensional models of Neanderthals, modern humans, and a close outgroup (Homo heidelbergensis), applying finite-element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This is the most comprehensive application of either approach applied to date and the first to include both. FEA reveals few differences between H. heidelbergensis, modern humans, and Neanderthals in their capacities to sustain high anterior tooth loadings. CFD shows that the nasal cavities of Neanderthals and especially modern humans condition air more efficiently than does that of H. heidelbergensis, suggesting that both evolved to better withstand cold and/or dry climates than less derived Homo. We further find that Neanderthals could move considerably more air through the nasal pathway than could H. heidelbergensis or modern humans, consistent with the propositions that, relative to our outgroup Homo, Neanderthal facial morphology evolved to reflect improved capacities to better condition cold, dry air, and, to move greater air volumes in response to higher energetic requirements

Nature of the metal-nonmetal transition in metal-ammonia solutions. I. Solvated electrons at low metal concentrations

Using a theory of polarizable fluids, we extend a variational treatment of an excess electron to the many-electron case corresponding to finite metal concentrations in metal-ammonia solutions (MAS). We evaluate dielectric, optical, and thermodynamical properties of MAS at low metal concentrations. Our semi-analytical calculations based on a mean-spherical approximation correlate well with the experimental data on the concentration and the temperature dependencies of the dielectric constant and the optical absorption spectrum. The properties are found to be mainly determined by the induced dipolar interactions between localized solvated electrons, which result in the two main effects: the dispersion attractions between the electrons and a sharp increase in the static dielectric constant of the solution. The first effect provides a classical phase separation for the light alkali metal solutes (Li, Na, K) below a critical temperature. The second effect leads to a dielectric instability, i.e., polarization catastrophe, which is the onset of metallization. The locus of the calculated critical concentrations is in a good agreement with the experimental phase diagram of Na-NH3 solutions. The proposed mechanism of the metal-nonmetal transition is quite general and may occur in systems involving self-trapped quantum quasiparticles.Comment: 13 figures, 42 page

Lady Gaga as (dis)simulacrum of monstrosity

Lady Gaga’s celebrity DNA revolves around the notion of monstrosity, an extensively researched concept in postmodern cultural studies. The analysis that is offered in this paper is largely informed by Deleuze and Guattari’s notion of monstrosity, as well as by their approach to the study of sign-systems that was deployed in A Thousand Plateaus. By drawing on biographical and archival visual data, with a focus on the relatively underexplored live show, an elucidation is afforded of what is really monstrous about Lady Gaga. The main argument put forward is that monstrosity as sign seeks to appropriate the horizon of unlimited semiosis as radical alterity and openness to signifying possibilities. In this context it is held that Gaga effectively delimits her unique semioscape; however, any claims to monstrosity are undercut by the inherent limits of a representationalist approach in sufficiently engulfing this concept. Gaga is monstrous for her community insofar as she demands of her fans to project their semiosic horizon onto her as a simulacrum of infinite semiosis. However, this simulacrum may only be evinced in a feigned manner as a (dis)simulacrum. The analysis of imagery from seminal live shows during 2011–2012 shows that Gaga’s presumed monstrosity is more akin to hyperdifferentiation as simultaneous employment of heterogeneous and potentially dissonant inter pares cultural representations. The article concludes with a problematisation of audience effects in the light of Gaga’s adoption of a schematic and post-representationalist strategy in the event of her strategy’s emulation by competitive artists