Switched wave packets: A route to nonperturbative quantum control

The dynamic Stark effect due to a strong nonresonant but nonionizing laser field provides a route to quantum control via the creation of novel superposition states. We consider the creation of a field-free "switched" wave packet through adiabatic turn-on and sudden turn-off of a strong dynamic Stark interaction. There are two limiting cases for such wave packets. The first is a Raman-type coupling, illustrated by the creation of field-free molecular axis alignment. An experimental demonstration is given. The second case is that of dipole-type coupling, illustrated by the creation of charge localization in an array of quantum wells

Are you talking to me? An analysis of journalism conversation on social media

Social media has become a key medium for discussion and dissemination of news stories, fuelled by the low barrier to entry and the ease of interaction. News stories may be propagated through these networks either by official news organisation accounts, by individual journalists or by members of the public, through link sharing, endorsing or commenting. This preliminary research aims to show how computational analysis of large-scale data-sets allows us to investigate the means by which news stories are spread through social media, and how the conversation around them is shaped by journalists and news organisations. Through the capture of more than 11 million tweets relating to 2303 Twitter accounts connected to journalism and news organisations, we are able to analyse the conversation within and around journalism, examining who spreads information about news articles and who interacts in the discussion around them. Capturing the tweets of news organisations and journalists and the replies and retweets of these micro-blogs allows us to build a rich picture of interaction around news media

Piezomorphic materials

The development of stress-induced morphing materials which are described as piezomorphic materials is reported. The development of a piezomorphic material is achieved by introducing spatial dependency into the compliance matrix describing the elastic response of a material capable of undergoing large strain deformation. In other words, it is necessary to produce an elastically gradient material. This is achieved through modification of the microstructure of the compliant material to display gradient topology. Examples of polymeric (polyurethane) foam and microporous polymer (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) piezomorphic materials are presented here. These materials open up new morphing applications where dramatic shape changes can be triggered by mechanical stress

Reconstructing boulder deposition histories: extreme wave signatures on a complex rocky shoreline of Malta

The Żonqor coastline, southeast Malta, displays an exceptional range of geomorphic signatures of extreme coastal events. This paper brings together evidence acquired from a field survey, analysis of time-sequential imagery, and hydrodynamic modelling to investigate the histories of boulder groups identified by their intrinsic and contextual characteristics. Clear differences are revealed between the distribution of boulders recently moved and those of considerable age. Tracking the movement of boulders since 1957 confirms that storms of surprisingly frequent interval are capable of complex boulder movements, including lifting of megaclasts. Scrutiny of the ancient boulders, including weathering features and fascinating landward-facing (reverse) imbrication, cautiously suggests tsunami as the agent for their emplacement. A novel method is developed for depicting the velocity decay profiles of hypothetical waves, which overcomes some of the limitations of the Nott approach. Applied here, the wave run-up context further sets the ancient movers apart from their recent mover companions. The combined evidence implies a palimpsestic landscape where storm waves are regular geomorphic agents that add to and rework the distribution of boulders close to the shoreline, but over long time periods the landscape becomes reset by tsunami—a concept that is of value to agencies in Malta responsible for coastal safety, planning and management

Proceedings of the ASAIHL Seminar on the Role of the ASAIHL in Combating Health Hazards of Environmental Pollution: June 17-20, 1992, University of Hong Kong

Includes bibliographical references.Sponsored by the ASAIHLpublished_or_final_versionLegal controls of environmental pollution in Asia: how effective are they? Allen, J. Allen, J. 256Hong Kong's water pollution controls: are we serious? Baillie, B.G. Baillie, B.G. 265Environmental law in Hong Kong - a legal practitioner's point of view Skrine, R. Skrine, R. 277Has the use of unleaded petrol provided a lead-free environment in Hong Kong? Au, C.T. Au, C.T. Chou, K.M. Chou, K.M. Wong, K.Y. Wong, K.Y. 282The influence of the health act on present environmental problems Prabawa Utama, S.H. Prabawa Utama, S.H. 288Characteristics of acid rain in mainland China Hong, Y.T. Hong, Y.T. 42Environmental impact assessment and the role of legislation in environmental control - the case of Malaysia Idris, A.B. Idris, A.B. Fuad, A. Fuad, A. 294Social responsbility awareness assessment of selected university respondents in combating environmental pollution Barcelona, A.C. Barcelona, A.C. 301Alternatives to legal controls on environmental pollution Kaine, G. Kaine, G. Reeve, I. Reeve, I. Musgrave, W. Musgrave, W. 306Introduction 315Towards low-waste technology Diaper, J. Diaper, J. 317Changing environmental values and institution building: the role of ASAIHL Hills, P. Hills, P. 325The nature and control of motor vehicle emissions - methanol as an alternative fuel Cheung, C.S. Cheung, C.S. Lui, Y.B. Lui, Y.B. Leung, T.P. Leung, T.P. 335Prevention and treatment of environmental pollution Mena, M.M. Mena, M.M. 332Treatment and disposal of heavy metal wastes using cementitious solidification Peralta, G.L. Peralta, G.L. Ballesteros, F.C. Ballesteros, F.C. Cepeda, M.L. Cepeda, M.L. 340A membrane anaerobic system for wastewater treatment Fakrul-Razi, A. Fakrul-Razi, A. 346Prevention and treatment of air pollution in Hong Kong Lam, J.C. Lam, J.C. 351Environmental education - a strategy for the treatment and prevention of environmental pollution Manalo, J.A. Manalo, J.A. Sergovia, V. Sergovia, V. Hocson, T.R. Hocson, T.R. 357Bacterial reduction during sewage treatment - the Hong Kong experience Hodgkiss, I.J. Hodgkiss, I.J. Chiu, S.H.C. Chiu, S.H.C. 360Treatment and prevention of environmental pollution in the Philippines De Jesus, E.M. De Jesus, E.M. 366Microbiological study of shellfish and water quality in Deep Bay, Hong Kong Kueh, C.S.W. Kueh, C.S.W. 369Environmental deterioration in greater Bangkok, Thailand Paraken, Y. Paraken, Y. 376The 'polluter pays' principle: the distribution of economic impacts Rahim, K.A. Rahim, K.A. 378The role of Philippine ASAIHL institutions in combating the hazards of environmental pollution in Manila Quirino, T.U. Quirino, T.U. 35Education programmes for training of agrichemical users in New Zealand Penman, D.R. Penman, D.R. 31The role of institutions of higher learning in combating health hazards of environmental pollution Rampal, K.G. Rampal, K.G. Ismail, N. Ismail, N. 26The contribution of health care departments in tertiary institutions in Hong Kong to combating the hazards of pollution King, A.R. King, A.R. 19Australian approaches to finger printing sources of environmental lead with isotopes Gulson, B.L. Gulson, B.L. 13D Treatment and prevention of environmental pollutionC Legal controls of environmental pollutionB Monitoring and instrumentation of environmental pollutionA Health hazards of environmental pollutionCountry reportsKeynote address Wang, Gungwu Wang, Gungwu 2Impact of industry on the health of surrounding communities: an analysis of epidemiological and public health challenges Bhopal, R.S. Bhopal, R.S. 65Epidemiology and environmental health: reliable risk measurement in well-populations Lam, T.H. Lam, T.H. Hedley, A.J. Hedley, A.J. Peters, J. Peters, J. 74An investigation into the presence of anaerobic bacteria in coastal waters of Hong Kong Boost, M.V. Boost, M.V. Wong, L.P. Wong, L.P. Wong, P.S. Wong, P.S. Ma, K.C. Ma, K.C. 82Pollutions within the built environment Burnett, J. Burnett, J. Chan, D.W.T. Chan, D.W.T. 87The effects of pesticides use on the health of on farmers in East Java, Indonesia Mukono, J. Mukono, J. 94Noise and human activities in Hong Kong: a review Tan, T.C. Tan, T.C. Wong, L.T.L. Wong, L.T.L. 98Analysis of organophosphorus insecticides in vegetables Tanner, P.A. Tanner, P.A. Leung, K.H. Leung, K.H. 105Health risk and environmental pollution: the hidden factors Peters, J. Peters, J. Lui, J. Lui, J. Wong, C.M. Wong, C.M. Hedley, A.J. Hedley, A.J. Lam, T.H. Lam, T.H. Ong, S.G. Ong, S.G. Tam, A.Y.C. Tam, A.Y.C. 109Risk assessment and management in the prevention of adverse effects on human health and the environment Spickett, J.T. Spickett, J.T. 117Indoor and outdoor pollution in shops and offices in Hong Kong and health effects Bacon-Shone, J. Bacon-Shone, J. Liao, S. Liao, S. 122Climatological assessment of potential heat stress in Hong Kong Kyle, W.J. Kyle, W.J. 126Asbestos dust: a silent enemy Lam, K.Y. Lam, K.Y. 131Integrating environmental health problems into urban planning: problems in the Asian-Pacific region and the challenges for universities Simpson, R.W. Simpson, R.W. 134Organic solvent exposure in some manufacturing industries in Malaysia Tan, G.L.E. Tan, G.L.E. 138Introduction 145Introductino 63Monitoring and instrumentation of environmental pollution Tebbutt, T.H.Y. Tebbutt, T.H.Y. 145The air quality monitoring programme of the Hong Kong environmental protection department Leung, R.T.M. Leung, R.T.M. 152Low technology sampling can show spatial and temporal patterns of airborne metal pollution Lloyd, O.L. Lloyd, O.L. Fay, Gailey Fay, Gailey 159Heavy metal contamination in coastal waters - a case study of the north coast of Central Java, Indonesia Supriharyono Supriharyono 165Determination of phosphorus in natural water at parts per trillion level by laser thermal lens effect Wu, L. Wu, L. Siu, G.G. Siu, G.G. Chiu, D.D.S. Chiu, D.D.S. Stokes, M.J. Stokes, M.J. 171A geographical approach to evaluating the human impact upon water quality Peart, M.R. Peart, M.R. 178Modular auto-enrichment subsystem for use in environmental high pressure liquid chromatography analysis Chen, S.C. Chen, S.C. Chang, J.Y. Chang, J.Y. Wang, R.K. Wang, R.K. 183Exposure to environmental pollutants in the work environment: a case study of a traffic toll booth in Malaysia Yaziz, M.I. Yaziz, M.I. 187A proposed air quality index in Hong Kong Ng, C.N. Ng, C.N. Tanner, P.A. Tanner, P.A. 191Background level of trace elements in soils of mainland China Chen, J.S. Chen, J.S. Tao, S. Tao, S. Deng, B.S. Deng, B.S. Wang, X.J. Wang, X.J. 196Indoor monitoring of nitrogen oxides Cheung, M.T. Cheung, M.T. 200The role of Thai universities in combating health hazards of environmental pollution Wangsuphachart, V.L. Wangsuphachart, V.L. 54Development of a piezoelectric crystal sorption detector for continuous monitoring of organic vapours at the workplace Fung, Y.S. Fung, Y.S. 205Effects of some standard fixatives on fish gill morphology Shepherd, M. Shepherd, M. Ivanstoff, W. Ivanstoff, W. 210Improving the total environmental of Singapore Tan, T.C. Tan, T.C. 46Simulation of urban traffic noise on the environment Pamanikabud, P. Pamanikabud, P. 215Investigation into the haze episodes in the Kelang Valley, Malaysia Samah, A.A. Samah, A.A. 221Photoacoustic determination of organic pollutant gases in Hong Kong air Shi, B. Shi, B. Siu, G.G. Siu, G.G. Chiu, D.D.S. Chiu, D.D.S. 228Application of the proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique for the study of respirable suspended particulated (RSP) in Hong Kong Cai, Z.X. Cai, Z.X. Sze, P.Y.K. Sze, P.Y.K. Stokes, M.J. Stokes, M.J. Young, E.C.M. Young, E.C.M. 234Follow-up stream sediment geochemical reconnaissance surveys in the vicinity of Tai Mo Shan, New Territories, Hong Kong Yim, W.W.S. Yim, W.W.S. Ng, C.Y. Ng, C.Y. Thornton, I. Thornton, I. 240Introduction 249Environmental pollution, higher education, and the rule of law Axline, M. Axline, M. 25

‘Racist behaviour is interfering with the game’: exploring football fans’ online responses to accusations of racism in football

This paper explores an incident of alleged fan racism involving Chelsea defender, Antonio Rüdiger. During a match against Tottenham Hotspur, in December 2019, Rüdiger claimed he heard racial abuse from Spurs fans. This incident sparked a broader national conversation regarding racism in sport, and wider society. This paper will draw on a comprehensive content analysis of Twitter comments to provide insights into fan reactions at the time of the incident. Was Rüdiger alleged to have played the ‘race card’? Was Rüdiger believed to have used his ‘race’ to attempt to punish the Spurs’ fans? Using thematic analysis, it will highlight patterns in fan responses to this case and attempt to illustrate football fans’ attitudes towards ‘race’ and racism within English football. The paper will close by offering some final thoughts on how racism, and other forms of discrimination, can be both challenged inside the stadium and on social media

Fermi Surface and Quasiparticle Excitations of overdoped Tl2Ba2CuO6+d by ARPES

The electronic structure of the high-T_c superconductor Tl2Ba2CuO6+d is studied by ARPES. For a very overdoped Tc=30K sample, the Fermi surface consists of a single large hole pocket centered at (pi,pi) and is approaching a topological transition. Although a superconducting gap with d_x^2-y^2 symmetry is tentatively identified, the quasiparticle evolution with momentum and binding energy exhibits a marked departure from the behavior observed in under and optimally doped cuprates. The relevance of these findings to scattering, many-body, and quantum-critical phenomena is discussed.Comment: Revised manuscript, in press on PRL. A high-resolution version can be found at http://www.physics.ubc.ca/~quantmat/ARPES/PUBLICATIONS/Articles/Tl2201_LE.pdf and related material at http://www.physics.ubc.ca/~quantmat/ARPES/PUBLICATIONS/articles.htm

Cumulin, an Oocyte-secreted Heterodimer of the Transforming Growth Factor-β Family, Is a Potent Activator of Granulosa Cells and Improves Oocyte Quality

Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) are oocyte-specific growth factors with central roles in mammalian reproduction, regulating species-specific fecundity, ovarian follicular somatic cell differentiation, and oocyte quality. In the human, GDF9 is produced in a latent form, the mechanism of activation being an open question. Here, we produced a range of recombinant GDF9 and BMP15 variants, examined their in silico and physical interactions and their effects on ovarian granulosa cells (GC) and oocytes. We found that the potent synergistic actions of GDF9 and BMP15 on GC can be attributed to the formation of a heterodimer, which we have termed cumulin. Structural modeling of cumulin revealed a dimerization interface identical to homodimeric GDF9 and BMP15, indicating likely formation of a stable complex. This was confirmed by generation of recombinant heterodimeric complexes of pro/mature domains (pro-cumulin) and covalent mature domains (cumulin). Both pro-cumulin and cumulin exhibited highly potent bioactivity on GC, activating both SMAD2/3 and SMAD1/5/8 signaling pathways and promoting proliferation and expression of a set of genes associated with oocyte-regulated GC differentiation. Cumulin was more potent than pro-cumulin, pro-GDF9, pro-BMP15, or the two combined on GC. However, on cumulus-oocyte complexes, pro-cumulin was more effective than all other growth factors at notably improving oocyte quality as assessed by subsequent day 7 embryo development. Our results support a model of activation for human GDF9 dependent on cumulin formation through heterodimerization with BMP15. Oocyte-secreted cumulin is likely to be a central regulator of fertility in mono-ovular mammals