Monolithic MEMS quadrupole mass spectrometers by deep silicon etching

Published versio

Environmental liabilities for landlords and tenants and the impact on the valuation of industrial buildings: implications for property management

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to review the response of professionals involved in the letting and management of industrial buildings to the implementation of Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act, 1990 which, has imposed a regime of “strict liability”, in terms of contamination, has implications for the owners, occupiers and managers of such properties and may be affecting rental and capital values of industrial premises. This research explores the current awareness of all parties to these changes. Design/methodology/approach – The study reported in this paper examines current practices in the UK and identifies areas where changes may be required, or be desirable, in order to arrive at recommendations as to “best practice”. The work was undertaken in three phases, a questionnaire survey involving leasing and managing agents, real estate owners, lawyers and bankers; a consultation stage with representative organisations including the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Environment Agency, British Property Federation, British Bankers Association, British Insurance Association, the Law Society and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and interviews with a representative sample of persons from the survey. This paper reports on the questionnaire survey phase

Magneto-inductive HF RFID system

Efforts to increase read range in passive HF RFID systems are hampered by the poor range scaling law of inductive coupling. An alternative approach to enlarging capture volume—increasing the lateral extent of the antenna—is proposed, using a magneto-inductive (MI) travelling wave arrangement to allow larger antenna sizes. A theory of load modulation in MI systems is first presented, together with field simulations in the capture volume. A 2.3 metre-long MI antenna is then constructed, and an active tag emulator is used to demonstrate load modulation. RFID is then demonstrated, with the antenna in both reflection and transmission modes, using a custom reader constructed from laboratory equipment. A transverse read range of 0.5 m is obtained using commercial off-the-shelf RFID cards with 12 W RF power, with high uniformity along the length of the antenna

Magnetoinductive breathers in magnetic metamaterials

The existence and stability of discrete breathers (DBs) in one-dimensional and two-dimensional magnetic metamaterials (MMs), which consist of periodic arrangem ents (arrays) of split-ring resonators (SRRs), is investigated numerically. We consider different configurations of the SRR arrays, which are related to the relative orientation of the SRRs in the MM, both in one and two spatial dimensions. In the latter case we also consider anisotropic MMs. Using standard numerical methods we construct several types of linearly stable breather excitations both in Hamiltonian and dissipative MMs (dissipative breathers). The study of stability in both cases is performed using standard Floquet analysi s. In both cases we found that the increase of dimensionality from one to two spatial dimensions does not destroy the DBs, which may also exist in the case of moderate anisotropy (in two dimensions). In dissipative MMs, the dynamics is governed by a power balance between the mainly Ohmic dissipation and driving by an alternating magnetic field. In that case it is demonstrated that DB excitation locally alters the magnetic response of MMs from paramagnetic to diamagnetic. Moreover, when the frequency of the applied field approaches the SRR resonance frequency, the magnetic response of the MM in the region of the DB excitation may even become negative (extreme diamagnetic).Comment: 12 pages 15 figure

Difference in Transverse Plane Scapular Position of Professional Baseball Players Relative to Baseball Field Position

The objective of this study was to identify the variation of the scaption angle of professional baseball players among field position played. Subjects consisted of 109 minor league professional baseball players reporting for the 2002 spring training season, who were under contract with the Anaheim Angels professional baseball organization. Subjects reported to a sports medicine/physical therapy clinic for their 2002 spring training pre-participation physical examination. The scaption measurements were taken as a component of the examination. Goniometric measurements were taken with the players in a relaxed standing position. Players were instructed to remain looking forward, roll their shoulders forward three times and then backward three times, and then hold that position for the measurement. A one-time goniometric measure of the player’s scaption angle for their dominant and non-dominant arms was recorded. Specific bony landmarks were used to establish the goniometric vector assignment. The spinous process of the T-4 vertebrae and the sternal notch were used to establish the sagittal vector. The triangle at the base of the spine of the scapula, and the posterio-lateral tip of the acromion were used to establish the transverse vector. The mean scaption angles for the dominant and non-dominant arms were 39.1° and 36.3°, respectively. Significant differences in the mean scaption angle of the player’s dominant arm existed between the shortstop position and the positions of center field, second base, and first base; and in the player’s non-dominant arm between the shortstop position and the positions of pitcher, second base, and center field. The 40.3° angle for the first baseman position was the greatest scaption angle, the mean angle for the shortstop position was the lowest at 34.3. Statistical differences in the scaption angle of dominant arms of baseball players exists between the shortstop field position and the positions of center field, second base, and first base. For the non-dominant arm, statistical differences exist between the shortstop position and the positions of pitcher, second base, and center field. Key Words: Scaption, Shoulder, Shoulder-girdle, Scapul

A review of the ecological effectiveness of subtidal marine reserves in Central California, Part I: Synopsis of scientific investigations

Marine reserves, often referred to as no-take MPAs, are defined as areas within which human activities that can result in the removal or alteration of biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem are prohibited or greatly restricted (NRC 2001). Activities typically curtailed within a marine reserve are extraction of organisms (e.g., commercial and recreational fishing, kelp harvesting, commercial collecting), mariculture, and those activities that can alter oceanographic or geologic attributes of the habitat (e.g., mining, shore-based industrial-related intake and discharges of seawater and effluent). Usually, marine reserves are established to conserve biodiversity or enhance nearby fishery resources. Thus, goals and objectives of marine reserves can be inferred, even if they are not specifically articulated at the time of reserve formation. In this report, we review information about the effectiveness of the three marine reserves in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (Hopkins Marine Life Refuge, Point Lobos Ecological Reserve, Big Creek Ecological Reserve), and the one in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (the natural area on the north side of East Anacapa Island). Our efforts to objectively evaluate reserves in Central California relative to reserve theory were greatly hampered for four primary reasons; (1) few of the existing marine reserves were created with clearly articulated goals or objectives, (2) relatively few studies of the ecological consequences of existing reserves have been conducted, (3) no studies to date encompass the spatial and temporal scope needed to identify ecosystem-wide effects of reserve protection, and (4) there are almost no studies that describe the social and economic consequences of existing reserves. To overcome these obstacles, we used several methods to evaluate the effectiveness of subtidal marine reserves in Central California. We first conducted a literature review to find out what research has been conducted in all marine reserves in Central California (Appendix 1). We then reviewed the scientific literature that relates to marine reserve theory to help define criteria to use as benchmarks for evaluation. A recent National Research Council (2001) report summarized expected reserve benefits and provided the criteria we used for evaluation of effectiveness. The next step was to identify the research projects in this region that collected information in a way that enabled us to evaluate reserve theory relative to marine reserves in Central California. Chapters 1-4 in this report provide summaries of those research projects. Contained within these chapters are evaluations of reserve effectiveness for meeting specific objectives. As few studies exist that pertain to reserve theory in Central California, we reviewed studies of marine reserves in other temperate and tropical ecosystems to determine if there were lessons to be learned from other parts of the world (Chapter 5). We also included a discussion of social and economic considerations germane to the public policy decision-making processes associated with marine reserves (Chapter 6). After reviewing all of these resources, we provided a summary of the ecological benefits that could be expected from existing reserves in Central California. The summary is presented in Part II of this report. (PDF contains 133 pages.

An experimental study to discriminate between the validity of diffraction theories for off-Bragg replay

We show that experiments clearly verify the assumptions made by the first-order two-wave coupling theory for one dimensional lossless unslanted planar volume holographic gratings using the beta-value method rather than Kogelnik's K-vector closure method. Apart from the fact that the diffraction process is elastic, a much more striking difference between the theories becomes apparent particularly in the direction of the diffracted beam in off-Bragg replay. We therefore monitored the direction of the diffracted beam as a function of the off-Bragg replay angle in two distinct cases: [a] the diffracted beam lies in the plane of incidence and [b] the sample surface normal, the grating vector and the incoming beam do not form a plane which calls for the vectorial theory and results in conical scattering.Comment: Corrected Eqs. (3) & (6); 14 pages, 8 figure

The redevelopment and value of contaminated land.

This study examines the effects of contamination on the redevelopment and valuation of industrial land. The period covered by the study was one in which environmental legislation in the United Kingdom was undergoing significant changes. The Government's proposal to introduce registers of 'potentially contaminated sites' was fiercely opposed by different interest groups and was abandoned. New legislative proposals followed but will not take effect before 1997. During the same period, the guidance given to the valuers of industrial properties, and of other properties which may be affected by contamination, has been limited in scope and difficult to implement.It is argued that contaminated land is an important resource and that a 'risk assessment' approach should be adopted for valuation purposes and the appraisal of redevelopment proposals. The processes involved in the investigation of contaminated sites, the selection of treatment methods and the role of the valuer in these actions are considered. Alternative approaches to the valuation and appraisal of contaminated sites are described, both in situations where the existing industrial use is to continue and where redevelopment is proposed. Value was found to be affected both by the cost to treat the contamination and perceived 'risk factors', which are collectively termed 'stigma'.Besides valuers, many different actors are involved in the property development process. These actors are likely to hold differing views in respect of treatment methods, the value and desirability of redeveloping contaminated sites, according to the nature of their involvement. Questionnaire surveys were undertaken of valuers and other professionals involved in redevelopment, in order to test their perceptions of the risks involved. The views of a 'general population' sample were also obtained in respect of a number of environmental issues, in order to compare the views of two 'expert' groups with those of a wider population. Interviews were conducted with a number of leading valuers, so as to assess current practice in reflecting the possibility of contamination in valuations. The surveys enabled professional perceptions of the stigma effect to be determined. Case studies involving the redevelopment of contaminated sites were researched and the impact of stigma upon transaction prices was assessed.The findings of the research enabled a predictive model to be developed for use in the valuation of contaminated land and this was tested by reference to ten case studies. The perception of risk, associated with contaminated land, held by valuers was clearly identified to be higher than that perceived by the other group of'experts' involved in the development process. All of the professionals were generally supportive of current Government proposals but with some reservations. Property investors were identified as being the most cautious of all actors involved in property development. Further research proposals are described

Noise performance of magneto-inductive cables

Magneto-inductive (MI) waveguides are metamaterial structures based on periodic arrangements of inductively coupled resonant magnetic elements. They are of interest for power transfer, communications and sensing, and can be realised in a flexible cable format. Signal-to-noise ratio is extremely important in applications involving signals. Here, we present the first experimental measurements of the noise performance of metamaterial cables. We focus on an application involving radiofrequency signal transmission in internal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), where the subdivision of the metamaterial cable provides intrinsic patient safety. We consider MI cables suitable for use at 300 MHz during 1H MRI at 7 T, and find noise figures of 2.3–2.8 dB/m, together with losses of 3.0–3.9 dB/m, in good agreement with model calculations. These values are high compared to conventional cables, but become acceptable when (as here) the environment precludes the use of continuous conductors. To understand this behaviour, we present arguments for the fundamental performance limitations of these cables