Time-resolved charge detection with cross-correlation techniques

We present time-resolved charge sensing measurements on a GaAs double quantum dot with two proximal quantum point contact (QPC) detectors. The QPC currents are analyzed with cross-correlation techniques, which enables us to measure dot charging and discharging rates for significantly smaller signal-to-noise ratios than required for charge detection with a single QPC. This allows to reduce the current level in the detector and therefore the invasiveness of the detection process and may help to increase the available measurement bandwidth in noise-limited setups.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

The most creative organization in the world? The BBC, 'creativity' and managerial style

The managerial styles of two BBC directors-general, John Birt and Greg Dyke, have often been contrasted but not so far analysed from the perspective of their different views of 'creative management'. This article first addresses the orthodox reading of 'Birtism'; second, it locates Dyke's 'creative' turn in the wider context of fashionable neo-management theory and UK government creative industries policy; third, it details Dyke's drive to change the BBC's culture; and finally, it concludes with some reflections on the uncertainties inherent in managing a creative organisation

Quantum dot occupation and electron dwell time in the cotunneling regime

We present comparative measurements of the charge occupation and conductance of a GaAs/AlGaAs quantum dot. The dot charge is measured with a capacitively coupled quantum point contact sensor. In the single-level Coulomb blockade regime near equilibrium, charge and conductance signals are found to be proportional to each other. We conclude that in this regime, the two signals give equivalent information about the quantum dot system. Out of equilibrium, we study the inelastic-cotunneling regime. We compare the measured differential dot charge with an estimate assuming a dwell time of transmitted carriers on the dot given by h/E, where E is the blockade energy of first-order tunneling. The measured signal is of a similar magnitude as the estimate, compatible with a picture of cotunneling as transmission through a virtual intermediate state with a short lifetime

Brands in international and multi‐platform expansion strategies: economic and management issues

Powerful media branding has historically facilitated successful international expansion on the part of magazine and other content forms including film and TV formats. Multi-platform expansion is now increasingly central to the strategies of media companies and, as this chapter argues, effective use of branding in order to engage audiences effectively and to secure a prominent presence across digital platforms forms a core part of this. Drawing on original research into the experience of UK media companies, this chapter highlights some of the key economic, management and socio-cultural issues raised by the ever-increasing role of brands and branding in the strategies of international and multi-platform expansion that are increasingly common- place across media

Gonadal Malformations in Whitefish from Lake Thun: Defining the Case and Evaluating the Role of EDCs

The objectives of this project were to evaluate i) whether the gonad alterations of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus spp.) in Lake Thun represent abnormal morphological variations specific to this lake, and, if so, ii) whether the malformations are related to chemical exposure, in particular to exposure to endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). Large-scale monitoring data revealed that, although whitefish in other lakes display some background variation of gonad morphology, the situation in Lake Thun, is unique because of the significantly higher prevalence of gonad malformations. The abnormal variations of whitefish gonad morphology include aplasias, compartmentations, fusions, and intersex. In the search for the factor(s) causing the gonad malformations, coregonids were exposed from fertilization up to maturity to Lake Thun water and plankton or to contaminants possibly being present in the lake, including trinitrotoluenes, and naphtalene sulfonates. Since these experiments are still ongoing, a conclusive answer cannot be given yet, but initial observations point to a role of the lake plankton. The possible presence of EDCs in Lake Thun was assessed using bioanalytics and biomarkers. The bioanalytical studies found estrogenic activities in concentrated plankton extracts of Lake Thun, however, estrogenic activities occurred also in plankton extracts of reference lakes. Bioassay-directed fractionation of the plankton samples points to degradation products of natural substances as a cause of the estrogenic activity. Examination of Lake Thun whitefish for EDC biomarkers such as vitellogenin, sex steroid levels or intersex frequency yielded no indications of exposure to EDCs, neither in fish with normal nor in fish with abnormal gonad morphology. Long-term laboratory exposure of developing coregonids to the prototype estrogenic compound, 17?-estradiol, resulted in an increased frequency of intersex gonads, but did not induce the other gonad malformations typical for Lake Thun coregonids. In summing up, the currently available evidence does not support an EDC or chemical etiology of the gonad malformations, however, this preliminary conclusion needs to be substantiated in the ongoing investigations. The project also highlights the need for more detailed knowledge of natural variation in wildlife populations to be able to recognize anthropogenically caused variation

The concept of solidarity: emerging from the theoretical shadows?

The concept of solidarity has been relatively neglected by social scientists since Durkheim's pioneering work in the late 19th century. The discipline of politics has been guilty of overlooking this 'subjective' element of community life, but recent works by Stjernø and Brunkhorst reflect a growing awareness of the theoretical significance of the concept. Whereas early liberal attempts to theorise solidarity took the nation state to be the appropriate community for its realisation, the emergence of globalisation raises the possibility of human solidarity developing in the global community. Traditional forms of solidarity have been dissipated by the social changes accompanying globalisation, but they were often locked into the defence of particular interests. New forms may be emerging to rekindle the broader vision of human solidarity. Recent work by writers such as Habermas, Honneth, Rorty and Touraine focuses on widening and deepening democratic participation and/or the articulation of our ethical obligations in various ways. It is argued here that these perspectives need to be supplemented by a radical humanist approach grounded in a normative theory of human self-realisation

The ethical challenge of Touraine's 'living together'

In Can We Live Together? Alain Touraine combines a consummate analysis of crucial social tensions in contemporary societies with a strong normative appeal for a new emancipatory 'Subject' capable of overcoming the twin threats of atomisation or authoritarianism. He calls for a move from 'politics to ethics' and then from ethics back to politics to enable the new Subject to make a reality out of the goals of democracy and solidarity. However, he has little to say about the nature of such an ethics. This article argues that this lacuna could usefully be filled by adopting a form of radical humanism found in the work of Erich Fromm. It defies convention in the social sciences by operating from an explicit view of the 'is' and the 'ought' of common human nature, specifying reason, love and productive work as the qualities to be realised if we are to move closer to human solidarity. Although there remain significant philosophical and political differences between the two positions, particularly on the role to be played by 'the nation', their juxtaposition opens new lines of inquiry in the field of cosmopolitan ethics

Directed transport of CRP across in vitro models of the blood-saliva barrier strengthens the feasibility of salivary CRP as biomarker for neonatal sepsis

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a commonly used serum biomarker for detecting sepsis in neonates. After the onset of sepsis, serial measurements are necessary to monitor disease progression; therefore, a non-invasive detection method is beneficial for neonatal well-being. While some studies have shown a correlation between serum and salivary CRP levels in septic neonates, the causal link behind this correlation remains unclear. To investigate this relationship, CRP was examined in serum and saliva samples from 18 septic neonates and compared with saliva samples from 22 healthy neonates. While the measured blood and saliva concentrations of the septic neonates varied individually, a correlation of CRP levels between serum and saliva samples was observed over time. To clarify the presence of active transport of CRP across the blood–salivary barrier (BSB), transport studies were performed with CRP using in vitro models of oral mucosa and submandibular salivary gland epithelium. The results showed enhanced transport toward saliva in both models, supporting the clinical relevance for salivary CRP as a biomarker. Furthermore, CRP regulated the expression of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and the addition of soluble RAGE during the transport studies indicated a RAGE-dependent transport process for CRP from blood to saliva