Fast Detector Simulation Using Lelaps, Detector Descriptions in GODL

Lelaps is a fast detector simulation program which reads StdHep generator files and produces SIO or LCIO output files. It swims particles through detectors taking into account magnetic fields, multiple scattering and dE/dx energy loss. It simulates parameterized showers in EM and hadronic calorimeters and supports gamma conversions and decays. In addition to three built-in detector configurations, detector descriptions can also be read from files in the new GODL file format.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, presented at the Linear Collider Workshop LCWS'05, Stanford, CA, March 200

Possible Application of Wavefront Coding to the LSST

Wavefront Coding has been applied as a means to increase the effective depth of focus of optical systems. In this note I discuss the potential for this technique to increase the depth of focus of the LSST and the resulting advantages for the construction and operation of the facility, as well as possible drawbacks. It may be possible to apply Wavefront Coding without changing the current LSST design, in which case Wavefront Coding might merit further study as a risk mitigation strategy.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figure

Biofuels and water: an exploration

This paper analyses the different impacts that biofuel production will have on water use and availability

Coping with Climate Change in Agriculture: A Portfolio Analysis

Replaced with revised version of paper 10/18/07.Portfolio analysis, climate change, crop growth models, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management,

Atypical status of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Poland: a molecular typing study

The aim of this study was to analyze molecular features of protease-resistant prion protein (PrPres) in Western blots of BSE cases diagnosed in Poland with respect to a possible atypical status. Confirmed cases were analyzed by Western blotting with several monoclonal antibodies directed at N-terminal and core epitopes of prion protein (PrP). Most cases showed the classical glycoprofile characterized by the dominance of the di- over the monoglycosylated PrPres band, yielding di-/mono- ratios well above 2 and by reactivity with antibodies having their epitopes in bovine PrP region 110-242 (C-type cases). Surprisingly, seven cases of BSE were atypical. Six were classified as L-type based on a slightly lower molecular mass (M-r) of the non- glycosylated band with respect to C-types and a conspicuously low di-/mono- ratio of glycosylated PrPres bands approaching unity. One case was classified as H-type because of a higher M-r of PrPres bands on the blot when compared with C-type cases. A characteristic epitope of H-type PrPres occurred in the 101-110 region of PrP for which only antibody 12B2 had a sufficient affinity. The occurrence of atypical cases only in animals 9 years of age and older raises questions about the mechanisms of prion diseases and the origin of BSE

Yield trends and yield gap analysis of major crops in the world

This study aims to quantify the gap between current and potential yields of major crops in the world, and the production constraints that contribute to this yield gap. Using an expert-based evaluation of yield gaps and the literature, global and regional yields and yield trends of major crops are quantified, yield gaps evaluated by crop experts, current yield progress by breeding estimated, and different yield projections compared. Results show decreasing yield growth for wheat and rice, but still high growth rates for maize. The yield gap analysis provides quantitative estimates of the production constraints for a number of crops and regions and reveals the difficulty to measure and compare yield potentials and actual yields consistently under a range of environmental conditions, and it shows the difficulty to disentangle interacting production constraints. FAO yield growth projections are generally lower than what possibly could be gained by closing current yield gaps

Het economisch drama van de podiumkunsten

Het economisch drama van de podiumkunsten De leerstoel Economie van de Podiumkunsten gaat de komende jaren onder andere bestuderen hoe een optimum kan worden bereikt van de belangen van de podiumkunsten, van het publiek, en de publieke kosten. Als onderdeel van dit vraagstuk zal de ordening in de productieketen waaronder de ordening van podia worden bestudeerd. Nederland heeft een eigen ordening van podia. Hier zijn de gemeenten verantwoordelijk voor gesubsidieerde podia en stichten particuliere bedrijven mondjesmaat commerciële theaters en poppodia. Grote steden hebben vaak gespecialiseerde podia als schouwburgen, concertzalen en poppodia, middelgrote en kleine gemeenten hebben vaak één, niet gespecialiseerd theater. Podia worden in de regel geëxploiteerd als zelfstandige entiteiten met relatief weinig samenwerkingsverbanden. Kleine podia ervaren hierdoor een beperkte onderhandelingspositie naar aanbieders van voorstellingen en zij ervaren dat zij weinig geld hebben voor productontwikkeling en voor marketing. Gezelschappen menen dat de podia weinig gesubsidieerde voorstellingen afnemen. Kan dat niet beter? In het buitenland zijn er voorbeelden van ordening van podia om te bestuderen, maar in Nederland zijn er weinig verschillende modellen. Het zou mooi zijn als ook hier modellen worden ontwikkeld waarvan de verschijnselen kunnen worden bestudeerd. Hier kan worden gedacht aan een andere geografische, bestuurlijke verantwoordelijkheid voor podia of aan vormen van integratie. In de oratie wordt ingegaan op verschillende vormen van integratie gericht op podia. Rede, in verkorte vorm uitgesproken aan de Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam op 18 mei 2009

Nutrient Efficiency in Dairy Farming: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Use in the Netherlands, Spain, and Poland

Nutrient flows are calculated for dairy farms in three countries: The Netherlands, Spain and Poland. Incoming flows are compared with outgoing flows, where a distinction is made between nutrients that leave the farm in the form of farm products and other flows. Non-product flows are considered as undesirable although they may contain storage of nutrients in the soil. Efficiency of farm production is expressed as total amount of unutilized nutrients per hectare (nutrient surplus) or as part of available nutrients that are recovered in the products (nutrient efficiency). This allows comparison of efficiency rates in the countries that were studied. Nutrient efficiency is calculated for the use of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, being the most important nutrients in agriculture. Specific data for dairy farming were lacking for Spain and Poland. In these cases, general data were used. Large differences are found between the countries. Nutrient surplus is very high in The Netherlands, where efficiency is low: about 20% of the available nitrogen and 35% of phosphorus and potassium is recovered in farm products. Surplus of nutrients in Spain is limited to 65kg of nitrogen and less than 10kg of phosphorus and potassium. Polish agriculture fully utilizes available phosphate and potassium while nitrogen surplus is less than 30kg per hectare. Efficiency rates in this country are very high (50 to 100%). They are about double of those in Spain. Differences that are found between countries reflect differences in production background. They refer to other farm styles, where production takes place under specific policy or economic conditions. Figures on The Netherlands apply to intensive and specialized in dairy farms, while data for Spain and Poland refer to general and mixed farming conditions. Using comparable, average data for The Netherlands does not change the outcome. This is due to the high animal density (number of animals per hectare) and general intensive farming practices in this country. The influence of policy environment on nutrient applications and efficiency is demonstrated by a comparison of efficiency rates in Dutch dairy farming during different years. It appears that policy measures like production quotation has lead to a steady improvement of nutrient efficiency (efficiency increased with 40%). Likewise, economic changes in Poland have lead to a strong decline in fertilizer and feed purchases per farm. This has had however limited effect on nutrient efficiency. Comparison of efficiency rates should be accompanied by an analysis of farming conditions. While most figures relate to averages of large numbers of farms in different areas, little is known of the effect this has on the outcome of the calculations. Nutrient efficiency can vary enormously between farm types or regions. Studies reveal that these differences probably are related to animal density, fertilizer application and production of animal feed. Notwithstanding the use of average and general data it is felt that the outcome of this study sheds some light on different production practices in Europe and the efficiency of nutrient use in The Netherlands, Spain and Poland. The outcome, however, is general and not applicable to specific local production situations