Socioeconomics and values of resources in great Lake-Tonle Sap and Mekong-Bassac area : results from a sample survey in Kampong Chhnang, Siem Reap and Kandal provinces, Cambodia

Socioeconomics aspects, Fishery economics, Cambodia,

Multi-frequency scale Gaussian regression for noisy time-series data

Regression using Gaussian process models is applied to time-series data analysis. To extract from the data separate components with different frequency scales, the Gaussian regression methodology is extended through the use of multiple Gaussian process models. Fast and memory-efficient methods, as required by Gaussian regression to cater for large time-series data sets, are discussed. These methods are based on the generalised Schur algorithm and a procedure to determine the Schur decomposition of matrices, the key step to realising them, is presented. In addition, a procedure to appropriately initialise the Gaussian process model training is presented. The utility of the procedures is illustrated by application of a multiple Gaussian process model to extract separate components with different frequency scales from a 5000-point time-series data set with gaps

Fish fights over fish rights: Conflicts arising from re-allocation of fishing lots: perceptions from community fisheries in Cambodia

Disputes, Aquaculture, Cambodia,

A comprehensive study of Bluetooth signal parameters for localization

We provide an elaborate discussion on Bluetooth signal parameters with respect to localization, whereby we collectively designate all types of Bluetooth specification parameters that are related to signal strength - such as RSSI, Link Quality, Received and Transmit Power Level - as Bluetooth signal, parameters. According to our analysis and experimental results, "RSSI" and "Transmit Power Level" turn out to be poor candidates for localization, while "Link Quality" has its limitations. On the other hand, "Received Power Level" correlates nicely with distance, which makes it the most desirable Bluetooth signal parameter to be used in location systems. We contend that it is vital to choose the appropriate signal parameter in Bluetooth location systems, and we expect our work to provide useful pointers in any future design of such systems. Existing systems can also benefit by adopting the appropriate Bluetooth signal parameter in their systems, and thereby, improve their location accuracy

UNDERSTANDING CAPTURE EFFICIENCY IN FLUIDIZED BEDS

This paper describes an experimental study on the extent of capture efficiency in a fluidized bed system under controlled conditions. Using aerosols as tracer compound, the capture efficiency in a fluidized bed was quantitatively measured as a function of contact distance (time). The paper presents the experimental technique as well as the results relating the capture efficiency to the bed hydrodynamic. A theoretical model was developed to describe the influence of operating variables on the overall capture efficiency. Dominant mechanisms enabling the capture of the fine aerosols are elucidated

Quantum Dot in 2D Topological Insulator: The Two-channel Kondo Fixed Point

In this work, a quantum dot couples to two helical edge states of a 2D topological insulator through weak tunnelings is studied. We show that if the electron interactions on the edge states are repulsive, with Luttinger liquid parameter $K < 1$, the system flows to a stable two-channel fixed point at low temperatures. This is in contrast to the case of a quantum dot couples to two Luttinger liquid leads. In the latter case, a strong electron-electron repulsion is needed, with $K<1/2$, to reach the two-channel fixed point. This two-channel fixed point is described by a boundary Sine-Gordon Hamiltonian with a $K$ dependent boundary term. The impurity entropy at zero temperature is shown to be $\ln\sqrt{2K}$. The impurity specific heat is $C \propto T^{\frac{2}{K}-2}$ when $2/3 < K < 1$, and $C \propto T$ when $K<2/3$. We also show that the linear conductance across the two helical edges has non-trivial temperature dependence as a result of the renormalization group flow.Comment: 4+\epsilon page

Diphtheria anti-toxoid antibody levels among pre-clinical students and staff in an institute of higher learning in Malaysia: are they protected?

Introduction: Little is known about the sero-prevalence of diphtheria anti-toxoid antibody levels among medical students in Malaysia. They too, just like other health care workers (HCWs) are at risk of contracting and transmitting diphtheria. Fortunately, this can be prevented by giving a specific vaccine: the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine. Nonetheless, data from local or regional surveys are needed before any decision is made by the respective authorities. General objective: We studied the epidemiology of diphtheria anti-toxoid antibody levels and vaccination history amongst medical students and staff in Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia. Specific objectives: We determined the level of diphtheria anti-toxoid antibodies amongst pre-clinical students and staff. Methodology: A total of 152 sera were collected from subjects aged 19 to 63, and diphtheria anti-toxoid levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: One hundred and fifty-two (94.4%) blood samples out of 161 participants were successfully withdrawn, which comprised 105 (69.1%) and 47 (30.9%) medical students and staff, respectively. A total of 77.6% and the other 22.4% of the subjects had full and basic protection, respectively. Higher levels were predominant amongst males and they were 1.3 times more protected than females in 20-29 year-old group (85.1% vs 66.2%; odd ratios 1.25 [95% CI 1.03-1.50]; P=0.03). No significant difference in the levels of immunity among subjects for ethnicity and academic position (P>0.05). Recommendations: Level of full protection against diphtheria toxin should be clearly defined by broad population based studies using several comparable detection methods. Medical students and staff with basic protection should be closely monitored or should be given a booster dose for those who are at high risk of acquiring the disease. Thus, a standard degree of coverage should be clearly determined for health workers to prevent a potential outbreak. Conclusion: Students and staff possess immunity towards diptheria toxin however the level of full protective antibody is yet to be determined in future

Using social networking sites for communicable disease control: innovative contact tracing or breach of confidentiality?

Social media applications such as Twitter, YouTube and Facebook have attained huge popularity, with more than three billion people and organizations predicted to have a social networking account by 2015. Social media offers a rapid avenue of communication with the public and has potential benefits for communicable disease control and surveillance. However, its application in everyday public health practice raises a number of important issues around confidentiality and autonomy. We report here a case from local level health protection where the friend of an individual with meningococcal septicaemia used a social networking site to notify potential contacts

Production of Medium Chain Length Polyhydroxyalkanoates From Oleic Acid Using Pseudomonas Putida Pga1 by Fed Batch Culture

Bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a class of polymers currently receiving much attention because of theirpotential as renewable and biodegradable plastics. A wide variety of bacteria has been reported to produce PHAsincluding Pseudomonas strains. These strains are known as versatile medium chain length PHAs (PHAs-mcl) producersusing fatty acids as carbon source. Oleic acid was used to produce PHAs-mcl using Pseudomonas putida PGA 1 bycontinuous feeding of both nitrogen and carbon source, in a fed batch culture. During cell growth, PHAs alsoaccumulated, indicating that PHA production in this organism is growth associated. Residual cell increased until thenitrogen source was depleted. At the end of fermentation, final cell concentration, PHA content, and productivity were30.2 g/L, 44.8 % of cell dry weight, and 0.188 g/l/h, respectively