Notes of Orchids from Andalucía. II

Notas de Orquídeas de Andalucia II. Palabras clave. Orchidaceae, Andalucía, Espana.Key Words. Orchidaceae, Andalucía, Spain

Inside Campaign Finance: Myths and Realities

A Review of Inside Campaign Finance: Myths and Realities by Frank J. Sarau

Spacecraft Collision Probability Estimation for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations

The topic of this thesis is on-board estimation of spacecraft collision probability for orbital rendezvous and proximity operations. All of the examples shown in this work assume that the satellite dynamics are described by the Clohessy-Wiltshire equations, and that the spacecraft are spherical. Several collision probability metrics are discussed and compared. Each metric can be placed into one of three categories. The first category provides an estimate of the instantaneous probability of collision, and places an upper bound on the total probability of collision. The second category provides an estimate of total collision probability directly. The last category uses Monte Carlo analysis and a novel Pseudo Monte Carlo analysis algorithm to determine total collision probability. The metrics are compared and their accuracy is determined for a variety of on-orbit conditions. Lastly, a method is proposed in which the metrics are arranged in a hierarchy such that those metrics that can be computed quickest are calculated first. As the proposed algorithm progresses the metrics become more costly to compute, but yield more accurate estimates of collision probability. Each metric is compared to a threshold value. If it exceeds the limits determined by mission constraints, the algorithm computes a more accurate estimate by calculating the next metric in the series. If the threshold is not reached, it is assumed there is a tolerable collision risk and the algorithm is terminated. In this way the algorithm is capable of adapting to the level of collision probability, and can be sufficiently accurate without needless calculations being performed. This work shows that collision probability can be systematically estimated

Shear-driven size segregation of granular materials: modeling and experiment

Granular materials segregate by size under shear, and the ability to quantitatively predict the time required to achieve complete segregation is a key test of our understanding of the segregation process. In this paper, we apply the Gray-Thornton model of segregation (developed for linear shear profiles) to a granular flow with an exponential profile, and evaluate its ability to describe the observed segregation dynamics. Our experiment is conducted in an annular Couette cell with a moving lower boundary. The granular material is initially prepared in an unstable configuration with a layer of small particles above a layer of large particles. Under shear, the sample mixes and then re-segregates so that the large particles are located in the top half of the system in the final state. During this segregation process, we measure the velocity profile and use the resulting exponential fit as input parameters to the model. To make a direct comparison between the continuum model and the observed segregation dynamics, we locally map the measured height of the experimental sample (which indicates the degree of segregation) to the local packing density. We observe that the model successfully captures the presence of a fast mixing process and relatively slower re-segregation process, but the model predicts a finite re-segregation time, while in the experiment re-segregation occurs only exponentially in time

Inhibition by small-molecule ligands of formation of amyloid fibrils of an immunoglobulin light chain variable domain.

Overproduction of immunoglobulin light chains leads to systemic amyloidosis, a lethal disease characterized by the formation of amyloid fibrils in patients' tissues. Excess light chains are in equilibrium between dimers and less stable monomers which can undergo irreversible aggregation to the amyloid state. The dimers therefore must disassociate into monomers prior to forming amyloid fibrils. Here we identify ligands that inhibit amyloid formation by stabilizing the Mcg light chain variable domain dimer and shifting the equilibrium away from the amyloid-prone monomer

An Introduction To Cost-Of-Living Adjustments In Public Retirement Plans: Details Matter

While financial planning students are expected to be able to understand client retirement plans, subtle differences in cost-of-living adjustments can have major impact on the success of client retirement plans. This teaching note compares the cost-of-living adjustments in the largest government sponsored retirement systems and a hypothetical traditional privately sponsored plan.  Using a Monte Carlo simulation, we estimate the impact on retirement experience from the different COLAs.  These differences are large, with differing protection from future inflation and differing risk for running out of money during retirement. This teaching note will help instructors address Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board Learning Outcome G.52 “Retirement Needs Analysis”.   The material may also be used in economics, human resources, public administration, and other classes addressing policy aspects of retirement plans

An Overview Of Fiduciary Standards And Suitability For Financial Planning Students

Financial planning is an interdisciplinary field including finance and business law topics. Consequently, standard pedagogical resources often omit topics that fall between these fields. To address a key gap in educational materials for financial planning students and faculty, this article reviews recent regulatory developments for financial planning students, including strengthened fiduciary standards and FINRA suitability requirements. The discussion introduces FINRA 2090, FINRA 2111, the Uniform Prudent Investor Act, and other widely adopted fiduciary-oriented model laws. The article concludes with a discussion of implications for financial planning professors and students

Improved Constraints on Isotropic Shift and Anisotropies of the Speed of Light using Rotating Cryogenic Sapphire Oscillators

We demonstrate that Michelson-Morley tests, which detect direction-dependent anisotropies in the speed of light, can also be used to place limits upon isotropic deviations of the vacuum speed of light from $c$, as described by the photon sector Standard Model Extension (SME) parameter $\tilde{\kappa}_{tr}$. A shift in the speed of light that is isotropic in one inertial frame implies anisotropic shifts in others. Using observer Lorentz covariance, we derive the time-dependent variations in the relative resonance frequencies of a pair of electromagnetic resonators that would be generated by such a shift in the rest frame of the Sun. A new analysis of a recent experimental test of relativity using this result constrains $\tilde{\kappa}_{tr}$ with a precision of $7.4\times10^{-9}$. This represents the first constraint on $\tilde{\kappa}_{tr}$ by a Michelson-Morley experiment and the first analysis of a single experiment to simultaneously set limits on all nine non-birefringent terms in the photon sector of the SME

An assessment of processes and strategies for management of the Penarth Coast

In 1997, the effects of severe erosion along the Penarth foreshore became apparent when the beach surface fell to critical levels. From consideration of global influences, the physical and cultural environments and anthropogenic activities, including the construction of the Cardiff Bay Barrage, a five-year monitoring programme was devised to assess coastal processes, identify possible causes of the erosion and develop management strategies for protection of the Penarth coast. Approximately 1·5 km of the foreshore, comprising two orientations, NNE and NNW, were surveyed each September and April between 1997 and 2002, to assess summer and winter changes. Results showed in September 1997, sediment transport was southerly in direction whilst from April 2000, there was a consistent return to the traditionally accepted south to north longshore drift; verified by significant differences in longshore gradients. Foreshore analysis provided important regression models representing the variation of the shoreline indicator Mean High Water (MHW) with shoreline position (mean beach level) and gain/loss of beach material. Models represented the temporal variation of MHW and depth of closure with further significant correlation between the two-shoreline indicators (83·85%). A Management Response Indicator (MRI) equation provided a simple tool to rapidly assess the health of Penarth beach, MRI = 17·035 +tan·' (x14- x6)/240, whilst temporal variation of longshore gradients, demonstrated an important inter-relationship between beach evolution and orientation (97·37%). Significant temporal and spatial models identified changes in beach formation adjacent to the Barrage breakwater pre and post construction and showed its influence decreased with distance. A further management tool was developed to monitor beach evolution and morphological change in response to this structure. Analysis of ten-year water and wind data identified a projected mean sea level rise of 0-4mm/year and significant increases in easterly wind components between 1995 and 1997, coinciding with significantly higher extreme water levels. Following correlation of these forcing agents with shoreline indicators, supported by documented beach losses of 350 kg/m2 subsequent to an easterly storm, it was concluded that the unprecedented erosion of Penarth beach was caused by increased wave attack from the northeast and southeast quadrants. Function Analysis justified foreshore management from a development perspective whilst risk analysis supported management strategies. Initial recommendations of on-going monitoring to assess beach health were supported by developed models and underpinned by management responses detailed for each of three defined beach sections. These included beach nourishment, wave wall construction in conjunction with the proposed Penarth Headland Link and groyne removal adjacent to the Barrage.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo