Determination of the CKM Matrix Element |V_cb| from Semileptonic B Decays

We report studies of semileptonic decays, B --> X_c l nu, based on a sample of 88 million BB events recorded with the BABAR detector. We have measured four moments of the electron energy distribution and four moments of the hadronic mass distribution, each as a function of the minimum electron energy. From these moments we determine the inclusive branching fraction, the CKM matrix element |V_cb|, and other heavy quark parameters, using Heavy Quark Expansions (HQE) to order 1/m_b^3 in the kinetic mass scheme. In addition, we have studied a large sample of exclusive B^0 --> D^*- l^+ nu decays. This sample is used to extract the vector and axial form factors, the normalization and slope of the HQET form factor to determine |V_cb|.Comment: 7 pages, 3 postscript figues, Talk presented at ICHEP04 in Beijin

Reflections and outlook for the New Zealand ETS: must uncertain times mean uncertain measures?

This article discusses the development and performance of New Zealand\u27s emissions trading scheme since the report of the Emissions Trading Scheme Review Panel in 2011. Introduction The New Zealand emissions trading scheme (ETS) was introduced by legislation in 2008. The legislated objectives as stated in section 3 of the Climate Change Response Act 2002 are to ‘support and encourage global efforts to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by (i) assisting New Zealand to meet its international obligations under the [UNFCCC] Convention and the [Kyoto] Protocol; and (ii) reducing New Zealand’s net emissions of those gases to below business-as-usual levels’. Beyond this, the New Zealand government has confirmed three objectives for the ETS: help New Zealand to deliver its ‘fair share’ of international action to reduce emissions, including meeting any international obligations; deliver emission relations in the most cost-effective manner; support efforts to maximise the long-term resilience of the New Zealand economy at least cost. ........ This article discusses the development and performance of the scheme since the report of the Emissions Trading Scheme Review Panel in 2011. In particular, the article presents the results of a survey undertaken by the authors in April 2013 of stakeholders’ perception of the scheme and its performance. The survey was designed and administered by the authors using FluidSurveys software

Implementasi Kebijakan Pencegahan Dan Penanganan Covid-19 Di Pondok Pesantren Modern Selamat Kabupaten Kendal, Jawa Tengah

Penelitian tentang Implementasi Kebijakan Pencegahan dan Penanganan Covid-19 Di Lingkungan Pondok Pesantren Modern Selamat merupakan penelitian yang dilatarbelakangi oleh adanya penemuan kasus penyebaran Covid-19 klaster pondok pesantren yang menimpa Pondon Pesantren Modern Selamat namun dengan berbagai upaya pencegahan dan penanganan yang dilakukan, Pondok Pesantren Modern Selamat ditunjuk sebagai pondok dengan pengalaman terbaik penanganan covid-19 se-Jawa Tengah oleh yayasan Setara bekerjasama dengan Lembaga Penelitian dan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat Universitas Diponegoro (LPPM Undip) dan Unicef Jawa Tengah. Metode yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah deskriftip kualitatif dengan berpedoman pada konsep-konsep studi kepustakaan dan wawancara. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menggambarkan serta  menganalisa tentang Implementasi Kebijakan Pencegahan dan Penanganan Covid-19 di Lingkungan Pondok Pesantren Modern Selamat. Hasil dari penelitian ini: Pertama, menghentikan laju penyebaran dan transmisi/penularan Covid-19 dengan upaya perlindungan kesehatan yang terbagi menjadi: Upaya pencegahan dengan kegiatan promosi kesehatan, kegiatan perlindungan dengan menyediakan fasilitas yang sesuai dengan protokol kesehatan Covid-19, Upaya penemuan kasus (detect) dengan cara melakukan pemeriksaan suhu tubuh dan swab test, Serta penerapan penanganan secara cepat dan efektif  dengan cara pembatasan pisik dan pembatasan sosial, penerapan etika batuk dan bersin, isolasi mandiri, dan pelaksanaan tindakan karantina. Kedua, menyediakan fasilitas pelayanan kesehatan diantaranya: rumah karantina, ruang isolasi dan ruang pemeriksaan kesehatan. Ketiga, Meminimalisir dampak dari pandemi Covid-19 terhadap pelayanan sosial dengan cara menutup akses menuju pondok Pesantren Modern Selamat, menyedikan fasilitas yang dilengkapi dengan protokol kesehatan, melakukan pemeriksaan berkala terhadap semua SDM yang ada di lingkungan Pondok Pesantren Modern Selamat

Thermal-infrared spectral observations of geologic materials in emission

The thermal-infrared spectra of geologic materials in emission were studied using the prototype Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES). A variety of of processes and surface modifications that may influence or alter the spectra of primary rock materials were studied. It was confirmed that thermal emission spectra contain the same absorption features as those observed in transmission and reflection spectra. It was confirmed that the TES instrument can be used to obtain relevant spectra for analysis of rock and mineral composition

THE INFLUENCE OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP OF MANUFACTURING COMPANIES ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE

The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of transformational leadership behavior in manufacturing companies on the performance of their employees. The object of this research was conducted at PT. Tyfountex Indonesia is engaged in textiles. The research approach uses a descriptive quantitative approach. This research was conducted using a survey method, namely research that takes a sample from a population and the instrument used is a questionnaire with judgmental sampling. The results of this study indicate that transformational leadership in manufacturing companies at PT. Tyfountex Indonesia has a significant and positive effect on employee performance both partially and simultaneously

DC/DC converters for high voltage direct current transmission

High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission has to date mostly been used for point-to-point projects, with only a few select projects being designed from the outset to incorporate multiple terminals. Any future HVDC network is therefore likely to evolve out of this pool of HVDC connections. As technology improves, the voltage rating, at the point of commission, of the these connections increases. Interconnection therefore requires the DC equivalent of the transformer, to bridge the voltage levels and create a multi-terminal network. This thesis investigates new potential DC/DC converter topologies, which may be used for a range of HVDC applications. Simple interconnections of new and legacy HVDC links is unlikely to require a large voltage-step, but will be required to transfer a large amount of power. As the HVDC network develops it may become feasible for wind-farms and load-centres to directly connect to the DC network, rather than requiring new and dedicated links. Such a connection is called an HVDC tap and is typically rated at only a small fraction of the link's peak capacity (around 10\%). Such taps would connect a distribution voltage level to the HVDC network. DC/DC converters suitable for large-step ratios (>5:1) may find their application here. In this work DC/DC converters for both small and large step-ratios are investigated. Two approaches are taken to design such converters: first, an approach utilising existing converter topologies is investigated. As each project comes with a huge price-tag, their reliability is paramount. Naturally, technology that has already proven itself in the field can be modified more readily and quickly for deployment. Using two modular multilevel converters in a front-to-front arrangement has been found to work efficiently for large power transfers and low step-ratios. Such a system can be operated at higher than 50 Hz frequencies to reduce the volume of a number of passive components, making the set-up suitable for compact off-shore applications. This does however incur a significant penalty in losses reducing the overall converter efficiency. In the second approach DC/DC converter designs are presented, that are more experimental and would require significantly more development work before deployment. Such designs do not look to adapt existing converter topologies but rather are designed from scratch, purely for DC/DC applications. An evolution of the front-to-front arrangement is investigated in further detail. This circuit utilises medium frequency (>50 Hz) square current and voltage waveforms. The DC/DC step-ratio is achieved through a combination of the stacks of cells and a transformer. This split approach allows for high-step ratios to be achieved at similar system efficiencies as for the front-to-front arrangement. The topology has been found to be much more suitable for higher than 50 Hz operation from a losses perspective, allowing for a compact and efficient design.Open Acces

Extreme smoke events: climate change and human health in western Montana

Abstract not available