Altitude determination and descriptive analysis of clouds on ERTS-1 multispectral photography

A simple method to determine the approximate altitude of clouds is described, with the objective of refining their classification using only marginal data from the photographs. Results of the application of this method on photographs of the Goajira Peninsula, Paraguana Peninsula and the Central Coast of Venezuela are presented. Here, the altitudes computed are used to classify clouds and to identify the genus of others without typical form. Instability of air masses through clouds vertical development, and wind direction as well as other local climatic characteristics such as moisture content, loci of condensation, area, etc. are determined using repetitive coverage for the time interval of the photography. Applications for the regional and urban planning (including airport location and flights schedule) and natural resources evaluation are suggested

A naval design study on a small, unmanned surface vessel

The thesis is based on a naval study of a small, unmanned surface vessel. Furthermore, the study has been conducted in accordance with the Norwegian method of procurement PRINSIX. The study has been a preliminary project and involves the three first phases of the PRINSIX method: The idea phase (IP), the concept phase (CP), and the definition phase (DP). The IP analysed three ideas of conceptual solution: Mine Counter Measurement (MCM), Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), and Force Sustainment USV’s in light of operational needs in a top-down approach. Eventually, the output of the idea phase was a recommendation to further investigate the idea of ISR USV’s. The CP analysed analysed the capabilities and mission need for chosen alternatives, and further identified the capabilities for the conceptual solutions. The output of this analysis was four potential options: Continuation of current assets, small, passive ISR USV’s in large numbers, small active and passive ISR USV’s in limited numbers, and small active and passive ISR USV’s in limited numbers with offensive capabilities. Furthermore, a trade-off analysis, risk assessment, and rought technical considerations regarding hull and propulsion was made. Consequently, the CP concludes with a recommendation to move forward with option 1, Small ISR USV’s with a towable passive sonar in conjunction with deployable sonobuoys. Furthermore, the CP recommends moving forward with a conventional hydrostatic displacement hull and a hybrid propulsion configuration. The DP started off with specifying the preliminary capabilities and requirements for the chosen conceptual solution. Furthermore, a preliminary vessel was chosen as a reference vessel. The chosen reference vessel was then subject of a trade-off analysis with respect to alternative solutions for hull, propulsor, drivetrain, energy producers, and energy storage. The preliminary design solution was then deducted through a parametric study based on the preliminary capabilities and requirements, and the parameters in the design spiral. Moreover, a set of optimized parameters and a final optimized solution was presented and further analysed with respect to a weight breakdown, cost assessment, and a risk assessment. Finally, a recommendation was made based on the findings in the points of decision and the associated risk analysis. In conclusion, the recommendation is to not move forward into a development- and completion phase, judging the current state of the vessel. Further optimization is essential to reduce the risk of procurement

What are the major factors behind the apparent policy failure in relation to the employer role in 14-19 education and training?

From its origins as an unplanned and haphazard entity, the education and training (ET) system in England has become one of the core policy areas of any government. The role of employers within this, and in particular in relation to full-time 14-19 ET, has proved problematic. This research moves beyond the more usual factors of history, culture, policy and structures to investigate the relatively rarely discussed relationship between employer identity and behaviour and their influence on policy assumptions and outcomes, and system structures. It involved interviewing a number of employers, and a range of individuals and organisations, all of which to some extent represent ‘the employer voice’, about the employer role in full-time 14-19 ET. Findings include that the multiple identities of individual employers have different, often contradictory and surprising influences on policy, shaping in turn their interaction with system structures in ways that cannot easily be controlled in a voluntarist system. This research proposes practical measures to counter some of these influences. It calls for a greater understanding of how employer identity affects their interractions with the system and for this to be applied to future ET initiatives

Australia and ASEAN: old problems, new opportunities

This paper outlines the international context within which Australia's trade takes place, explores the trade patterns between ASEAN member countries and Australia, and examines the dynamics affecting this trade relationship

An Australia-China free trade agreement: managing an elephant

This paper explores the advantages and disadvantages of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Australia and China. As with any international agreement, Australia must balance political and economic factors at home and abroad. While Australia receives economic benefit from China at present, the latter may become an even more gigantic competitor against whom it will be vain to struggle. There are already clear winners and losers in the relationship, and the long-term advantages of an FTA that might make competition even easier for China must be called into question. Notwithstanding, perhaps Australia should seek an agreement as a gesture that might help to keep China on side

Predictors of health decline in older adults with pneumonia: findings from the Community Acquired Pneumonia Impact Study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of health decline among older adults with clinically diagnosed community acquired pneumonia (CAP). It was hypothesized that older adults with CAP who had lower levels of social support would be more likely to report a decline in health.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A telephone survey was used to collect detailed information from older adults about their experiences with CAP. A broader determinants of health framework was used to guide data collection. This was a community wide study with participants being recruited from all radiology clinics in one Ontario community.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The most important predictors of a health decline included: two symptoms (no energy; diaphoresis), two lifestyle variables (being very active; allowing people to smoke in their home), one quality of life variable (little difficulty in doing usual daily activities) and one social support variable (having siblings).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A multiplicity of factors was found to be associated with a decline in health among older adults with clinically diagnosed CAP. These findings may be useful to physicians, family caregivers and others for screening older adults and providing interventions to help ensure positive health outcomes.</p

Rest-Mediated Regulation of Extracellular Matrix Is Crucial for Neural Development

Neural development from blastocysts is strictly controlled by intricate transcriptional programmes that initiate the down-regulation of pluripotent genes, Oct4, Nanog and Rex1 in blastocysts followed by up-regulation of lineage-specific genes as neural development proceeds. Here, we demonstrate that the expression pattern of the transcription factor Rest mirrors those of pluripotent genes during neural development from embryonic stem (ES) cells and an early abrogation of Rest in ES cells using a combination of gene targeting and RNAi approaches causes defects in this process. Specifically, Rest ablation does not alter ES cell pluripotency, but impedes the production of Nestin+ neural stem cells, neural progenitor cells and neurons, and results in defective adhesion, decrease in cell proliferation, increase in cell death and neuronal phenotypic defects typified by a reduction in migration and neurite elaboration. We also show that these Rest-null phenotypes are due to the dysregulation of its direct or indirect target genes, Lama1, Lamb1, Lamc1 and Lama2 and that these aberrant phenotypes can be rescued by laminins

Calbindin-D32k Is Localized to a Subpopulation of Neurons in the Nervous System of the Sea Cucumber Holothuria glaberrima (Echinodermata)

Members of the calbindin subfamily serve as markers of subpopulations of neurons within the vertebrate nervous system. Although markers of these proteins are widely available and used, their application to invertebrate nervous systems has been very limited. In this study we investigated the presence and distribution of members of the calbindin subfamily in the sea cucumber Holothuria glaberrima (Selenka, 1867). Immunohistological experiments with antibodies made against rat calbindin 1, parvalbumin, and calbindin 2, showed that these antibodies labeled cells and fibers within the nervous system of H. glaberrima. Most of the cells and fibers were co-labeled with the neural-specific marker RN1, showing their neural specificity. These were distributed throughout all of the nervous structures, including the connective tissue plexi of the body wall and podia. Bioinformatics analyses of the possible antigen recognized by these markers showed that a calbindin 2-like protein present in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, corresponded to the calbindin-D32k previously identified in other invertebrates. Western blots with anti-calbindin 1 and anti-parvalbumin showed that these markers recognized an antigen of approximately 32 kDa in homogenates of radial nerve cords of H. glaberrima and Lytechinus variegatus. Furthermore, immunoreactivity with anti-calbindin 1 and anti-parvalbumin was obtained to a fragment of calbindin-D32k of H. glaberrima. Our findings suggest that calbindin-D32k is present in invertebrates and its sequence is more similar to the vertebrate calbindin 2 than to calbindin 1. Thus, characterization of calbindin-D32k in echinoderms provides an important view of the evolution of this protein family and represents a valuable marker to study the nervous system of invertebrates