Interference suppression in HO fluorescence detection

In this Letter we report preliminary results on a sampling method that greatly reduces the above interferences relative to hydroxyl fluorescence

Minimum Conditions for Visible Mold Growth

Considerable confusion and misunderstanding exists over the conditions required for visible mold growth at a surface in buildings. That is evident in papers and articles authored by engineers and other scientists, including various ASHRAE, ASTM and Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation publications. One of the major problems is that many HVAC engineers, building scientists, practitioners and others believe there exists a single critical value of the relative humidity (RH) of the indoor or ambient air well away from surfaces, below which mold will not grow on surfaces. However, that is not the case. The purpose of this article is to clarify the situation regarding what conditions are required for mold growth on building materials

Indigenous Ecuadorian Resistance and Mobilization: Co-optation and Alliances of the Indigenous Movement

What explains the fall and rise of Ecuadorian Indigenous mobilization from 2006-2021, and how Indigenous peoples, both leaders and non-leaders, understand the dynamics of their movement? This paper specifically examines protests as modalities of resistance and power to make broader claims regarding the movement as a whole. While there are many modes of resistance, protests are a phenomenon that diverse communities and groups within the movement participate in and have frameworks on. I argue that the decrease in protest frequency is rooted, in part, in two distinct factors that Indigenous leaders propose: 1). Political and ideological co-optation; and 2). Political repression. The increase in the number of protests and participants is rooted in cross-sectoral alliances against widely unpopular neoliberal reforms that enabled the movement’s resurgence. While many scholars have emphasized the role of highland movements and elites in the Indigenous movement in Ecuador, I seek to examine the perspectives of individuals outside of the Andean leadership, specifically in the Amazon. Understanding protest dynamics in Ecuador requires an analysis of non-Andean, non-leadership beliefs on why individuals protest or not and how they conceptualize the movement

Field study of moisture damage in walls insulated without a vapor barrier. Final report for the Oregon Department of Energy

Considerable uncertainty has existed over whether or not wall insulation installed without a vapor barrier causes an increased risk of moisture damage (wood decay) within walls. This report describes the results of one of the first major studies in the country aimed at finding out if such a moisture problem really exists. The exterior walls of a total of 96 homes in Portland, Oregon were opened, of which 70 had retrofitted insulation and 26 were uninsulated and were a control group. The types of insulation included urea-formaldehyde foam (44), mineral wool (16), and cellulose (10). In each opened wall cavity the moisture content of wood was measured and insulation and wood samples were taken for laboratory analysis of moisture content and for the determination of the presence of absence of decay fungi. Foam shrinkage was also measured. To evaluate the possible influence of the relative air tightness of the homes, fan depressurization tests were run using a door blower unit. The field and laboratory test results indicating the lack of a moisture damage problem in existing homes with wood siding in climates similar to that of western Oregon are described along with results of a statistical analysis of the data. Related problems of interest to homeowners and insulation installers are noted. The standard operating procedures used throughout the study are discussed, including the home selection process, quantitative and qualitative techniques used to identify wall locations with the highest moisture content, wall opening and data/sample collection methodology, laboratory analysis of samples, data processing and analysis, and applicability of the results. Recommendations for furutre tests are made. Finally, the potential and desirability for future retrofitting of wall insulation is explored

Iconoclasm: ISIS and Cultural Destruction

This paper examines utopian ideologies and their effects in motivating iconoclasm. Using the cases of Islamic State, the Nazi’s destruction of Warsaw, and the Taliban’s destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas, this paper analyzes the utopian elements of each group’s ideology that motivates iconoclasm. I argue that Islamic State engages in iconoclasm in order to promote a unified and ideal community rooted in their utopian religious ideology. They achieve this goal by destroying cultural artifacts and museums that clash with their vision. While most of the debate around Islamic State has focused on non-religious aspects like oil-backed finance, this paper attempts to reorient the debate around the religious character of Islamic State’s actions. Given the salience of Islamic State and other similar groups in recent attacks globally, this paper attempts to analyze their operational motivations through the destruction of cultural artifacts

Automatic identification technology (AIT): the development of functional capability and card application matrices

Automatic identification technology (AIT), also known as automated data collection (ADC) technology, has been in use in various industry and government applications. The present AIT resources are magnetic ink character recognition, optical character recognition, bar code, magnetic stripe, radio frequency, optical laser memory, integrated circuit (IC), biometric and voice data collection, and machine vision. Smart card, super smart card, and magnetic memory card technology (e.g., PCMCIA) are integrated circuit technology. Personnel selecting, acquiring, implementing and using these technologies should possess a knowledge of the capabilities and applications of the AIT resources to obtain the best AIT system to meet their mission requirements. In order to facilitate an understanding of the AIT resources and their applications, two matrices were developed. An AIT Functional Capability Matrix was developed to identify and assess the capabilities of the AIT resources. An AIT Application Matrix was developed to identify the automation of various applications with these technologies. The matrices can assist system designers, system integrators, information systems management personnel, users, and consumers of AIT resources understand the functional capabilities and the applications of these technologies in a concise format. The matrices can be used for selection and acquisition of AIT systems and to track and address migration of the AIT systems throughout their life cycleshttp://archive.org/details/automaticidentif00boweLieutenant, United States Naval ReserveApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited