Physical Properties of White-Light Sources in the 2011 Feb 15 Solar Flare

White light flares (WLFs) are observational rarities, making them understudied events. However, optical emission is a significant contribution to flare energy budgets and the emission mechanisms responsible could have important implications for flare models. Using Hinode SOT optical continuum data taken in broadband red, green and blue filters, we investigate white-light emission from the X2.2 flare SOL2011-02-15T01:56:00. We develop a technique to robustly identify enhanced flare pixels and, using a knowledge of the RGB filter transmissions, determined the source color temperature and effective temperature. We investigated two idealized models of WL emission - an optically thick photospheric source, and an optically thin chromospheric slab. Under the optically thick assumption, the color temperature and effective temperature of flare sources in sunspot umbra and penumbra were determined as a function of time and position. Values in the range of 5000-6000K were found, corresponding to a blackbody temperature increase of a few hundred kelvin. The power emitted in the optical was estimated at $\sim 10^{26}$ergs s$^{-1}$. In some of the white-light sources the color and blackbody temperatures are the same within uncertainties, consistent with a blackbody emitter. In other regions this is not the case, suggesting that some other continuum emission process is contributing. An optically thin slab model producing hydrogen recombination radiation is also discussed as a potential source of WL emission; it requires temperatures in the range 5,500 - 25,000K, and total energies of $\sim 10^{27}$ergs s$^{-1}$.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal, 15 pages, 15 figure

Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the production of fermented beverages

Alcoholic beverages are produced following the fermentation of sugars by yeasts, mainly (but not exclusively) strains of the species, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The sugary starting materials may emanate from cereal starches (which require enzymatic pre‐hydrolysis) in the case of beers and whiskies, sucrose‐rich plants (molasses or sugar juice from sugarcane) in the case of rums, or from fruits (which do not require pre‐hydrolysis) in the case of wines and brandies. In the presence of sugars, together with other essential nutrients such as amino acids, minerals and vitamins, S. cerevisiae will conduct fermentative metabolism to ethanol and carbon dioxide (as the primary fermentation metabolites) as the cells strive to make energy and regenerate the coenzyme NAD+ under anaerobic conditions. Yeasts will also produce numerous secondary metabolites which act as important beverage flavour congeners, including higher alcohols, esters, carbonyls and sulphur compounds. These are very important in dictating the final flavour and aroma characteristics of beverages such as beer and wine, but also in distilled beverages such as whisky, rum and brandy. Therefore, yeasts are of vital importance in providing the alcohol content and the sensory profiles of beverages. This Introductory Chapter reviews, in general, the growth, physiology and metabolism of S. cerevisiae in alcoholic beverage fermentations

Promoting Group Justice: Fiscal Policies in Post-Conflict Countries

In the aftermath of violent conflict, governments have an opportunity to address fundamental inequalities between internal groups. As taxation and expenditure policies are developed to rebuild a functional domestic economy and infrastructure, policies can be designed to lessen divisions and promote equity.The authors assert that good data about the status quo on inequality in a country is the first step to addressing it through policy. They then discuss some options for formulating a tax code that addresses distributional issues and increases progressivity. Expenditure planning can also be designed to help create equity in income and non-income resources, such as public services, employment, health and education. The role of aid donors is discussed, particularly as a source of successful strategies gleaned from other post-conflict countries.This study is part of a series on Public Finance in Post-Conflict Environments, published jointly by PERI and New York University's Center on International Cooperation.inequality; horizontal inequality; post-conflict economies; fiscal policies; taxation incidence; expenditure incidence

The Implications of Horizontal Inequality for Aid

This paper argues that the reduction of horizontal inequalities (HIs) or inequalities between culturally defined groups should inform aid policy in heterogeneous countries with severe HIs. It shows how this would change aid allocation across countries, leading to more aid to heterogeneous countries relative to homogeneous ones, the opposite of the existing bias in aid distribution. It explores how adopting an HI approach would affect the use of particular aid instruments, arguing that different instruments are appropriate according to the attitude and capacity of the government in relation to correcting HIs. Drawing on case studies of Ghana and Nepal it argues that at present there is neglect of HI considerations in aid policy, which can be particularly damaging where aid forms a large part of government resources.aid, horizontal inequality, social exclusion, Nepal, Ghana

Working Towards Green Tourism Accreditation at Dawyck Botanic Garden

Dawyck Botanic Garden was awarded a Silver accreditation in the Green Tourism Business Scheme in December 2010. The award was the result of a sustained focus to pursue an industry award as a measure of Dawyck’s achievements in sound environmental management. The award followed the construction of a new Visitor Centre in 2008 and also built upon green initiatives already achieved by staff. This case study follows the stages of the process up to the point of the award being made

A Jurisprudence of Equality: The Fourteenth Amendment and School Desegregation

This paper will deal with the meaning of equality in legal discourse and the social context which underlies that meaning

A 50 year old with a rapid neuropsychiatric deterioration and choreaform movements

A 50-year-old man presented acutely to the hospital with behavioural disturbance, choreiform movements and profound nihilistic delusions. He reported recent drug and alcohol abuse, and also apparent involvement in several recent criminal activities, for which he felt he should be punished. He arrived alone at the hospital after a concerned neighbour had called an ambulance. His initial level of agitation prevented formal cognitive testing. However, he was alert, verbally responsive and could obey commands. He was afebrile with normal observations and normal plasma glucose. Although his examination was challenging, the only abnormal neurological findings were bilateral choreiform upper limb movements