Calibration, validation and the NERC Airborne Remote Sensing Facility

The application of airborne and satellite remote sensing to terrestrial applications has been dominated by empirically-based, semi-quantitative approaches, in contrast to those developed in the marine and atmospheric sciences which have often developed from rigorous physically-based models. Furthermore, the traceability of EO data and the methodological basis of many applications has often been taken for granted, with the result that the repeatability of analyses and the reliability of many terrestrial EO products can be questioned. ‘NCAVEO’ is a recently established network of Earth Observation experts and data users committed to exchanging knowledge and understanding in the area of remote sensing data calibration and validation. It aims to provide a UK-based forum to collate available knowledge and expertise associated with the calibration and validation of EO-based products from both UK and overseas providers, in different discipline areas including land, ocean and atmosphere. This paper will introduce NCAVEO and highlight some of the contributions it hopes to make to airborne remote sensing in the UK

A quantitative method for determining optimal plant layout

M.S.James M. Appl

Stress tensor for a scalar field in a spatially varying background potential: Divergences, "renormalization," anomalies, and Casimir forces

Motivated by a desire to understand quantum fluctuation energy densities and stress within a spatially varying dielectric medium, we examine the vacuum expectation value for the stress tensor of a scalar field with arbitrary conformal parameter, in the background of a given potential that depends on only one spatial coordinate. We regulate the expressions by incorporating a temporal-spatial cutoff in the (imaginary) time and transverse-spatial directions. The divergences are captured by the zeroth- and second-order WKB approximations. Then the stress tensor is "renormalized" by omitting the terms that depend on the cutoff. The ambiguities that inevitably arise in this procedure are both duly noted and restricted by imposing certain physical conditions; one result is that the renormalized stress tensor exhibits the expected trace anomaly. The renormalized stress tensor exhibits no pressure anomaly, in that the principle of virtual work is satisfied for motions in a transverse direction. We then consider a potential that defines a wall, a one-dimensional potential that vanishes for $z<0$ and rises like $z^\alpha$, $\alpha>0$, for $z>0$. The full finite stress tensor is computed numerically for the two cases where explicit solutions to the differential equation are available, $\alpha=1$ and 2. The energy density exhibits an inverse linear divergence as the boundary is approached from the inside for a linear potential, and a logarithmic divergence for a quadratic potential. Finally, the interaction between two such walls is computed, and it is shown that the attractive Casimir pressure between the two walls also satisfies the principle of virtual work (i.e., the pressure equals the negative derivative of the energy with respect to the distance between the walls).Comment: 20 pages, 6 figure

Prospect for Regional Planning in California

Because the environment is being seriously threatened by overpopulation, overdevelopment, and pollution, there has been an increasing awareness of dhe need to control land usage through comprehensive regional planning. While California has failed to effectively respond to that need in the past, it appears that the Legislature is now moving in that direction and the establishment of at least some comprehensive regional planning agencies is imminent. In this article, the authors discuss various approaches to regional planning, problems of enforcement of regional plans, and alternatives available for controlling the regional planning process. The authors conclude dheir analysis by setting forth commendations for basic criteria necessary for effective regional planning legislation in 1973

A Histological Examination of the Ovaries of Pacific Sanddab, Citharichthys sordidus, Captured at Two Oil Platforms and Two Natural Sites in the Southern California Bight

A number of the 26 offshore oil and gas platforms off California may be nearing the end of their economic lives. Decisions as to the disposition of these platforms will be based on a number of parameters, including the biological role of the structures. One issue that has arisen is the possible contamination of fishes living around platforms resulting from contaminants released during drilling and production. If significant contamination is occurring, it would be expected to impair the reproductive abilities of impacted fishes. One form of reproductive impairment is atresia, the abnormal reabsorption of oocytes that are destined to be spawned. Atresia has been widely used as an indicator of pollutant-related reproductive impairment in fishes. We examined the occurrence of atretic oocytes in Pacific sanddab, Citharichthys sordidus, collected near two offshore platforms in the Santa Barbara Channel (B and Gilda) and from two natural reference sites (off the east end of Santa Cruz Island and in mid-channel off Rincon). While pronounced atresia was observed in a few fish at one natural site and one platform, there was no evidence of widespread pronounced atresia at any of the four sites

How Does Casimir Energy Fall?

Doubt continues to linger over the reality of quantum vacuum energy. There is some question whether fluctuating fields gravitate at all, or do so anomalously. Here we show that for the simple case of parallel conducting plates, the associated Casimir energy gravitates just as required by the equivalence principle, and that therefore the inertial and gravitational masses of a system possessing Casimir energy $E_c$ are both $E_c/c^2$. This simple result disproves recent claims in the literature. We clarify some pitfalls in the calculation that can lead to spurious dependences on coordinate system.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, REVTeX. Minor revisions, including changes in reference

BIRS Course: RNA Vaccine Manufacture and Assessment of Regulatory Documents for RNA Vaccines

This paper is in three segments: (A) Segment on Vaccine Manufacture; (B) Segment on Ready to Use (RTU) Fluid Path for Compounded Sterile Preparations, mRNA Vaccines, and Phage Therapy, (C) Segment on Competency Framework for Addressing Regulatory Review These segments can be used separately or in combination. Additionally, they can be presented in any order. The time devoted to each segment depends on the depth of the course coverage. These segments are interrelated and describe how to make vaccines, how to manufacture vaccines with a point-of-care system built from ready-to-use parts; and how to regulate vaccines. This is a timely review because of the importance of vaccines for the treatment of diseases. It is hoped that it will lead to new approaches to vaccine manufacture and regulation

Statistical approaches to certain problems in geophysics

Thesis. (Ph.D.) Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, 1953.Vita.Includes bibliographies.by Stephen Milton Simpson, Jr.Ph.D

Taking the pledge : a study of children's societies for the prevention of cruelty to birds and animals in Britain, c.1870-1914

This thesis examines the work of children's societies that aimed to instruct children to be kind to animals and birds, from c. 1870 to 1914. Its aims are to account for the growth of these societies managed by animal protectionists and the press; to assess how contemporary modes of masculinity affected children's relationships with animals; to explain how children embarked upon progressive conservation; and contribute to the history of childhood and the press. A widely held belief was that cruelty to animals led to interpersonal violence. By surveying the children's press, and the work of the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals, this thesis argues that moralists realised that the solution to this anxiety lay in teaching children to respect animals. The RSPCA's educational work was reorganised in 1870, and the first Band of Mercy children's society followed in 1875. The Dicky Bird Society, the first children's `press club', was formed a year later by the Newcastle Weekly Chronicle. These associations obliged children to sign a pledge making a commitment to be kind towards animals. Literature and proactive activities then provided a means of reinforcing this undertaking and measuring progress. By creating `tiny humanitarians' as active conservation workers, the societies inspired children to care about animals and also reform their peers. This was not without its tensions, most conspicuously the reticence of boys to join the societies because of their love of bird-nesting and received ideas about masculinity. Existing surveys depict the nineteenth-century animal protection movement as one managed by privileged individuals concerned with enforcing legislation by harassinga supposedlyb rutal working class,w ho had no time to care about animal welfare. On the contrary, this thesis suggests that children, especially those of the working classes, as active `tiny humanitarians', played a positive role in pulling public opinion towards a more appreciative disposition towards wildlife.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceArts and Humanities Research Council : Royal Historical Society : School of Historical Studies : Robinson Library Bursary SchemeGBUnited Kingdo