“Disarmament” Under the NPT: Article VI in the 21st Century

Article published in the Michigan State International Law Review

Two-dimensional minimum free energy autoregressive parametric modelling and spectral estimation

We present a new high resolution spectral estimation method. This method is a 2-D extension of the Minimum Free Energy (MFE) parameter estimation technique based on extension of the multidimensional Levinson method Our 2-D MFE technique determines autoregressive (AR) models for 2-D fields MFE-AR models may be used for 2-D spectral estimation. The performance of the technique for spectral estimation of closely spaced 2-D sinusoids in white noise is demonstrated by numerical example. Experimental results from tests on spectral resolution, estimator bias and variance, and tolerance to change in signal processing temperature are examined. The effects on spectral estimation of signal to noise ratio, data set size, model size, autocorrelation type, and dynamic range difference are illustrated. The spectral estimates from combmed and single quarter plane estimates are contrasted. The results illustrate that MFE provides accurate low model order spectral estimation. The performance of the method is compared to the multidimensional Levinson, conventional transform, modified covariance (MCV), hybrid, and maximum entropy methods. It is seen that our MFE method provides superior spectral estimation over that which can be achieved with the Levinson algorithm with equivalent computational burden Superior spectral resolution is achieved at lower data set size than that provided by the Fourier transform method. In terms of spectral resolution, the MFE method performs just as well as the MCV method for snapshot data. It is seen that MFE provides spectral estimates that are as good as if not better than that provided by hybrid and maximum entropy methods. The computational expense, stability, and accuracy of spectral estimation over a number of independent simulation trials are examined for both MFE and MCV methods. The bias and variance statistics for MFE are comparable to those for MCV. However, the computational expense is far less than that of MCV and maximum likelihood methods. Models generated by our method give rise to stable and causal systems that are recursively computable. Hence they may also be used for correlation extension and for field modelling applications such as texture generation

Oxygen sensitivity of ruthenium-doped sol-gel derived silica films

The feasibility of an oxygen sensor based on the quenching of fluorescence of ruthenium complexes in the presence of oxygen was investigated. Porous sol-gel derived silica thin films deposited on a glass substrate by a dip-coating technique were impregnated with the fluorescent complexes Ruthenium(2,2-bipyridene)3++ and Ruthenium (4,7- diphenylphenanthroline) 3++. Sol-gel film thickness, chemical composition and concentration of the fluorescent species within the film were optimised. The samples were excited by a CW Argon ion laser (Aex = 488nm) for fluorescent intensity measurements, and by a pulsed Nd- Yag laser (kex = 532nm) for lifetime measurements. For each complex, both the fluorescent intensity and lifetime were quenched by oxygen. The optical decay times were analysed using two methods: (a) Numerical Integration, and (b) Line stripping. Method (b) was favoured, and involved analysis in terms of one quenched and one unquenched fluorophore component, the latter arising from the fraction of ruthenium complex molecules which were inaccessible to oxygen. By taking intensity and lifetime measurements for known oxygen concentrations from 0 to 10 0 %, intensity and decay time Stem-Volmer plots were produced for both complexes. The performance of both ruthenium complexes was compared and contrasted, and their suitability for use in optical oxygen sensors based on sol-gel entrapped fluorescent molecules was discussed

The introduction of realism into SCADA mimic diagrams using object oriented techniques and C++

This project shows how an interactive object based graphical user interface for a plant supervision or control application may be implemented using state-of-the-art software languages and tools. In many current plant supervisory, control and data acquisition systems (SCADA) data presentation is limited to archaic character based graphics and text based prompts with little or no use of pointing devices. With the emergence of object-oriented programming languages and graphics function libraries this project shows how a decisive upgrade in the graphics for these systems may be achieved, thereby bringing realism into plant mimic diagrams. The mimic diagrams created in this project consist of a static background, acquired by the use of scanning devices or paint packages, and a dynamic background of icons, generated using object-oriented C++ classes. The project is an object-oriented application and hence illustrates the object-oriented paradigm. The thesis introduces the area of supervisory, control and data acquisition systems. It examines graphic standards and operating system options, and highlights the need for a user friendly extensible graphic interface to telemetry systems. It also shows how object-orientation should provide for systems that are not only easier to extend and maintain but may also spawn parts which may be used for future projects. The thesis, based on experience gained throughout the project, examines C++, classes, inheritance, problems associated with C++ environments and the dangers of product incompatibility. It discusses graphic elements, such as bitmaps, icons and menus, and shows how object-orientation may be applied to them. It expounds on real-time considerations and icon animation and details the full project implementation including compilation and memory management systems used. Finally it points to the future, to the impact of object-oriented programming on technical management, to object-oriented databases and the object-oriented SCADA workstation of the future, and to changes imminent in C++ itself

“Disarmament” Under the NPT: Article VI in the 21st Century

Article published in the Michigan State International Law Review

Welfare and health of dairy cattle on out-wintering pads or in cubicle housing with or without cushioned flooring.

End of Project ReportThe first study described in this report involved housing 66 spring calving heifers in one of three systems during the winter, namely, (i) a conventional cubicle house, (ii) a cubicle house with cushioned flooring covering the slats (slat mats) in the passageway and (iii) on a wood-chip out-wintering pad. Behaviour, health and performance indicators were measured on all animals while pregnant from housing in November 2003 until calving in January 2004. Additionally, data were collected on the first 15 animals to calve in each treatment for the first four weeks of lactation in the spring. The slat mats resulted in some improvements to hoof health compared to the conventional cubicle house. Furthermore, it increased feeding times although this had no effect on feed intake or performance. The results also indicated that heifers have a preference for standing on cushioned flooring rather than on concrete during late pregnancy. Both groups indoors differed greatly from the outdoor heifers in several respects. The outdoor animals had healthier feet and were less affected by injuries to the limbs. They also had a more diverse behaviour repertoire and slipped and tripped less. However, their welfare was adversely affected by inclement weather conditions with indications of immunosuppression combined with a reduction in average daily gain being recorded. Furthermore, they were dirtier and spent less time lying down. None of these factors influenced milk yield, quality or composition in early lactation. Welfare problems associated with the pad were weather and management dependent and hence could be addressed by more frequent cleaning of the pad and/or an increase in space allowance combined with the provision of shelter. Hence, the potential for good welfare in dairy heifers was higher on the pad than indoors in a cubicle system even when slat mats were provided. In the second study, 62 autumn calving pluriparous dairy cows were housed in September 2004 in a cubicle system with either solid concrete floors or solid concrete floors covered by a rubber mat and cleaned by an automatic scrapper. Behaviour, locomotion and foot lesion scores were recorded from at least 3 weeks prior to calving until at least 16 weeks post-partum. Furthermore, in-depth measures of oestrous behaviour and reproductive performance were recorded. The cushioned flooring had no effect on sole or white line lesion scores or on dermatitis scores. However, it reduced the rate of wear of the heels in early lactation. Cows on cushioned flooring spent more time standing, but not feeding, at the feed face while cows on concrete stood in the cubicles instead. It appears that where cows have access to spacious, well-designed cubicles they can use them for standing to get relief for their feet from the concrete. Similar to the previous study this also indicates that cows prefer to stand on cushioned flooring than on bare concrete and emphasises the importance of at least providing cows with mats or mattresses in their cubicles. There were no effects of the cushioned flooring on oestrous behaviour or reproductive performance, which was poor in both treatments. It is suggested that the reasons for this were that the cushioned flooring did not provide sufficient traction for the cows and so they were as reluctant as the cows on concrete to perform mounting behaviour.European Union Structural Fun

State of Arizona v. Guy James Goodman: On Petition for a Writ of Certiorari to the Arizona Supreme Court

Arizona’s pending certiorari petition in Arizona v. Goodman provides the Supreme Court with an opportunity to review the important issue of the circumstances under which the Constitution permits an accused sex offender to be denied bail pending trial. In 2002, Arizona voters amended their state constitution, rendering a defendant categorically ineligible for bail if “the proof is evident or the presumption great” that he committed sexual assault. In a narrowly divided opinion, the Arizona Supreme Court found that this measure unconstitutional. And yet the Court’s opinion makes clear that the Constitution does not prohibit denying bail to defendants who present (1) “a continuing danger to the community” or (2) “a risk of flight.” Nor does the Constitution prohibit categorically denying bail based on the nature of the charged offense. Indeed, thirty-four states categorically deny bail to persons charged with capital offenses, murder, specified sex offenses, or offenses punishable by life imprisonment. Review of the Arizona Supreme Court’s decision is needed to resolve the conflict between it and the Court’s precedent on an important issue of constitutional law that affects the criminal justice system, crime victims, and community safety in States across the Nation. The Court’s review is especially needed because of the serious implications for victims and their communities if the judgment below is permitted to stand. Given sex offenders’ high recidivism rates, and the life-altering harm suffered by their victims, Arizona’s legislature was entirely reasonable when it opted to categorically deny bail to sexual-assault defendants on the ground that sexual assault is an adequate proxy for future dangerousness - and to build in procedural protections that go above and beyond in ensuring due process. The Constitution does not prohibit States like Arizona and others from taking these steps to ensure sex offenders are brought to justice, victims are protected, and communities are safeguarded

The Map of Need: Identifying and predicting the spatial distribution of financial hardship in Scotland’s Veteran Community

Introduction: During military service, many household costs for both married and single service personnel are subsidised, and transition can leave veterans unprepared for the financial demands of civilian life. Armed Forces organisations such as Sailor, Soldier, Air Force Association (SSAFA) play a central role in understanding the financial challenges that UK veterans face and provide an insight into the financial hardship experienced by veterans. The aim of this study was to use SSAFA beneficiary data as a proxy to identify the nature of financial benefit, the spatial distribution of financial hardship in the Scottish SSAFA beneficiary community and explore factors that might predict where those recipients are located. Methods: Using an anonymised dataset of Scottish SSAFA financial beneficiaries between 2014 and 2019, this study used a geographical methodology to identify the geospatial distribution of SSAFA benefit recipients and exploratory regression analysis to explore factors to explain where SSAFA beneficiaries are located. Results: Over half of benefit applicants (n= 10,735) were concentrated in only 50 postcode districts, showing evidence of a clustered pattern, and modelling demonstrates association with area level deprivation. The findings highlight strong association between older injured veterans and need for SSAFA beneficiary assistance. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that beneficiaries were statistically clustered into areas of high deprivation, experiencing similar challenges to that of the wider population in these areas. Military service injury or disability was strongly associated with areas of high SSAFA benefit use and in those areas high unemployment was also a significant factor to consider