Characterization of Acoustic Resonance in a High Pressure Sodium Lamp

With the last decades, the high pressure sodium (HPS) lamp has been supplied in high frequency in order to increase the efficacy of the lamp/ballast system. However, at some given frequencies, standing acoustic waves, namely acoustic resonance (AR), might develop in the burner and cause lamp luminous fluctuation, extinction and destruction in the most serious case. As we seek for a control method to detect and avoid the lamp AR some main characteristics of the acoustic resonances in a 150W HPS lamp are presented in this paper,. The first one is the characteristic of the lamp AR threshold power, the second one is the differences between forward and backward frequency scanning effects during lamp open loop operation. Thirdly, lamp AR behaviour in closed loop operation with an LCC half bridge inverter will be presented and leads to a new point of view and a change in the choice of the AR detection method. These characteristics allow us to further understand the AR and to better control the lamp

Ofcom consultation – implications for Google and Facebook?

The Leveson Inquiry debated media plurality in the UK, and the implication of concentrated media power for democracy, but did not make detailed recommendations for policy change. Since then, Parliament and also Government have consulted. Now the regulator Ofcom has been asked to come up with a new framework for measuring media plurality and is consulting on this until 20 May. Sharif Labo and Damian Tambini argue that this new framework must be expanded to consider the new risks that arise from the role of internet intermediaries

Digital intermediaries in the UK: implications for newsplurality

Digital intermediaries such as Google and Facebook are seen as the new power brokers in online news, controlling access to consumers and even suppressing or targeting messages. After reviewing literature that raised this concern, this paper examines empirical evidence for the claim that intermediaries pose a threat to news plurality. We introduce a three-stage analytical framework for measuring the role of intermediaries within the current policy framework for media plurality: (i) analysis of share of online in news consumption (ii) role of intermediaries (iii) degree of bias versus neutrality of intermediary control of news. Through secondary analysis of UK industry data on referrals of online news traffic, we find that an increasing proportion of news is delivered online, and a significant proportion of online news is accessed via intermediaries. However, we find that not all news that is filtered through intermediary services is subject to the same shaping and editorial forces, in part because user agency is also an important factor. The role of intermediaries in news distribution is thus complex; market share and market concentration does not translate automatically into influence due to the complex interplay between user agency and the editorial influence of intermediaries

Passenger Name Records and data protection issues: busting some myths

The Leveson Inquiry debated media plurality in the UK, and the implication of concentrated media power for democracy, but did not make detailed recommendations for policy change. Since then, Parliament and also Government have consulted. Now the regulator Ofcom has been asked to come up with a new framework for measuring media plurality and is consulting on this until 20 May. Sharif Labo and Damian Tambini argue that this new framework must be expanded to consider the new risks that arise from the role of internet intermediaries

Ofcom’s Plurality Framework: A step in the right direction, but still unfinished work

Following the recent publication by Ofcom of its measurement framework for media plurality, LSE Research Officer Sharif Labo argues that although there are significant gaps in the framework, it offers a solid foundation to measure plurality in a fast-changing media environment. The UK Parliament, in consultation with Ofcom, must now use the opportunity of the first baseline assessment to set out ‘bright line’ guidance on what constitutes sufficient plurality, as well as to explore steps to gain more insights into how technology is impacting news consumption. Damian Tambini and Sharif Labo’s policy brief, Monitoring Media Plurality after Convergence, can be read here

Inventory and Economic Evaluation of Seedling Species in Ornamental /Forest Nursery Enterprises in Makurdi Metropolis

This study was carried out to ascertain the seedling species diversity of ornamental/forest nursery enterprises and their socio-economic contribution to people's livelihood in Makurdi metropolis. The study adopted survey method to generate data. This was accomplished through questionnaire administration and interviews with respondents. Descriptive statistics were utilized in analyzing the socio-economic variables, while Gross Income (GI), Net Income (NI), and Rate of Return on Investment (RORI) were adapted for economic analysis. The result revealed that twenty (20) different seedling species were available from the Ten (10) Ornamental/Forest Nursery enterprises in Makurdi metropolis. Yellow bush, Ixora, Oil palm, Royal palm, Golden palm, and Masquerade tree were most prevalent while Teak, Gmalina, and Pawpaw were less prevalent. The socio-economic contributions of these enterprises to the people included source of income, employment and revenue generation to government. The RORI of the enterprises varies between 16.9% and 76.9% and Net Income between N36 250 and N900 000 implying that the business is lucrative. About 198 persons are employed in these enterprises. Other benefits were environmental protection, beautification and decorative services. The study recommended that nursery operators should expand their production frontiers and particularly of the native seedling species, which were undersupplied. This will improve their profit margins and also create more employments for the people; the environment will also be protected. The study further recommended that the populace be encouraged towards increased involvement in the establishment of more nursery enterprises and tree planting

Language use and literary onomastics as markers of identity in the Nigérien novel: an overview of two novels by Mahamadou Halilou Sabbo

Nigérien literature written in French is not widely known outside of French-speaking Africa, and even there, only in certain milieus. This is due in part to its relative newness, dating from the beginning of independence, around 1960. However, the main reason concerns the low level of productivity. Moreover, many works remain at the level of manuscripts since access to publishing is not easy: local publishers are non-existent, while local printers find little interest (i.e. profit) in this emerging literature in a country where the reading population is minimal, as most Nigériens are illiterate. Nonetheless, some Nigériens do engage in literary writing and their works demonstrate certain specific traits. In opposition to the pan-African interests and orientations of first-generation francophone African writers like Léopold Sédar Senghor, Birago Diop and Mongo Beti, Nigérien writers, on the whole, have a tendency to concentrate on issues of local social, political and cultural importance. Themes range from the denunciation of past regimes to various aspects of the processes of social change underway. An examination of Mahamadou Halilou Sabbo’s Abboki, ou l’appel de la côte (Abboki, or the call of the coast) and Caprices du destin (Destiny’s whims) provides an interesting point of entry into an overview of the relation between language use and character construction on one hand, and the processes of national identity construction on the other.&nbsp

Parasitoses digestives de l'enfant scolarisé en République du Niger

Des enquêtes coprologiques réalisées en milieu scolaire dans plusieurs zones de l'ouest de la République du Niger ont fourni les résultats suivants. En ce qui concerne les protozoaires, la prévalence de l'amibiase-infestation est forte dans toutes les régions étudiées, la giardase est plus fréquente dans les régions sèches. Pour les helminthes, HYMENOLEPIS NANA se rencontre partout, la prévalence de l'ankylostomiase va en décroissant du sud au nord et l'aire de répartition de SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI est restreinte à l'extrême sud du pays. Les autres helminthiases sont peu fréquentes (Résumé d'auteur

The new political campaigning

Campaign regulation aims to ensure that elections are free and fair and not captured by a narrow range of interests. Since 1883, the UK has had legislation1 on its statute books that limits candidates’ spending on political campaigns. Broadcasting legislation ensures impartiality and fairness in elections, and rationing of air time. This policy brief examines the impact of social media on these rules