A Programmatic Geographic Information Systems Analysis of Plant Hardiness Zones

The Plant Hardiness Zone Map consists of thirteen geographical zones that describe whether a plant can survive based on average annual minimal temperatures. As climate change progresses, minimum temperatures in all regions are expected to change. This work programmatically evaluates predicted future climate projection data and converts it to United States Department of Agriculture-defined hardiness zones. Through the next 80 years, hardiness zones are projected to move poleward; in effect, colder zones will lose area and warmer zones will gain area globally. Some implications include changes in crop growing degree days, which could alter crop productivity, migration and settlement of invasive species over native species in shifted zones, and the interruption of plant vernalization, which is an important factor in establishing dormancy. The programmatic evaluation and analysis of hardiness zone change is a strategic lens for viewing the effects and rate of climate change using an easy-to-grasp metric

Estimation of a 3D motion field from a multi-camera array using a multiresolution Gaussian mixture model

The problem of modelling geometry for video based rendering has been much studied in recent years, due to the growing interest in 'free viewpoint' video and similar applications. Common approaches fall into two categories: those which approximate surfaces from dense depth maps obtained by generalisations of stereopsis and those which employ an explicit geometric representation such as a mesh. While the former have generality with respect to geometry, they are limited in terms of viewpoint; the latter, on the other hand, sacrifice generality of geometry for freedom to pick an arbitary viewpoint. The purpose of the work reported here is to bridge this gap in object representation, by employing a stochastic model of object structure: a multiresolution Gaussian mixture. Estimation of the model and tracking it through time from multiple cameras is achieved by a multiresolution stochastic simulation. After a brief outline of the method, its use in modelling human motion using data from local and other sources is presented to illustrate its effectiveness compared to the current state of the art

Aspects of the population biology of the cyst nematode parasites of oilseed rape

Investigation of the host-parasite relationship between oilseed rape, Heterodera cruciferae and H. schachtii has shown that the rate of hatching, development and reproduction is strongly influenced by temperature, two possible generations occurring on an autumn-sown crop. H.schachtii preferred warmer temperatures, hatched and reproduced more than H. cruciferae. Comparisons between newly-formed eggs in cysts and egg sacs showed that their different hatching responses were related to their physiology; cyst-bound eggs hatched poorly whereas juveniles hatched readily from egg sacs and facilitated the early establishment of a second generation. Multiplication of both species varied greatly between cultivars and differences in hatching and multiplication were attributed to the effects of plant growth and intrinsic differences between cultivars. Plant age influenced the hatching activity of root diffusates and nematode development. Multiplication rates of single and mixed species populations declined with increaSing initial population density indicating that intraspecific competition and root damage limited population growth. Nematodes multiplied synergistically in concomitant infestations suggesting that interspecific competition was less important. In a damage assessment test, root and shoot growth of nematodeinfested plants was reduced and the increased accumulation of calcium in their shoots indicated that they used water less efficiently than uninfested plants. These effects were density-dependent and H.schachtii was more damaging than H.cruciferae. Tolerance to nematode attack was attributed to good root establishment. The rate of decline of H.cruciferae populations varied with time, soil depth and between populations; low soil moisture and temperature favouring nematode survival. The role of weeds as ~maintainer hosts' of H.cruciferae was assessed but considered negligible. Nematode population dynamics were simulated using a computer model. Population densities fluctuated considerably under typical crop rotations but large populations had generally declined to less damaging levels before a host was cropped again. It was indicated that a long run of non-hosts or nematicide use would achieve better control of H.schachtii than H.cruciferae

Detuned Mechanical Parametric Amplification as a Quantum Non-Demolition Measurement

Recently it has been demonstrated that the combination of weak-continuous position detection with detuned parametric driving can lead to significant steady-state mechanical squeezing, far beyond the 3 dB limit normally associated with parametric driving. In this work, we show the close connection between this detuned scheme and quantum non-demolition (QND) measurement of a single mechanical quadrature. In particular, we show that applying an experimentally realistic detuned parametric drive to a cavity optomechanical system allows one to effectively realize a QND measurement despite being in the bad-cavity limit. In the limit of strong squeezing, we show that this scheme offers significant advantages over standard backaction evasion, not only by allowing operation in the weak measurement and low efficiency regimes, but also in terms of the purity of the mechanical state.Comment: 17 pages, 2 figure

Offending competency and coercive control in intimate partner violence

This paper considers some of the ways in which intervention approaches for perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV) might be enhanced through the explicit consideration of the offense process. It is suggested that those who are experts in perpetrating this type of violence routinely use coercive controlling violence in intimate relationships. This group, for whom violence is instrumental, are not only likely to be at highest risk of offending, but also the most difficult to treat. They are more likely to have long developmental histories of violence, hold entrenched attitudes, and utilize knowledge about the effects of intimidation to avoid detection. It is suggested that specific consideration of what is known about the causes and correlates of IPV in those who follow this approach-explicit pathway can improve the outcomes of current perpetrator behavior change programs

Mechanical Entanglement via Detuned Parametric Amplification

We propose two schemes to generate entanglement between a pair of mechanical oscillators using parametric amplification. In contrast to existing parametric drive-based protocols, both schemes operate in the steady-state. Using a detuned parametric drive to maintain equilibrium and to couple orthogonal quadratures, our approach can be viewed as a two-mode extension of previous proposals for parametric squeezing. We find that robust steady-state entanglement is possible for matched oscillators with well-controlled coupling. In addition, one of the proposed schemes is robust to differences in the damping rates of the two oscillators.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figure

Minimum requirements for feedback enhanced force sensing

The problem of estimating an unknown force driving a linear oscillator is revisited. When using linear measurement, feedback is often cited as a mechanism to enhance bandwidth or sensitivity. We show that as long as the oscillator dynamics are known, there exists a real-time estimation strategy that reproduces the same measurement record as any arbitrary feedback protocol. Consequently some form of nonlinearity is required to gain any advantage beyond estimation alone. This result holds true in both quantum and classical systems, with non-stationary forces and feedback, and in the general case of non-Gaussian and correlated noise. Recently, feedback enhanced incoherent force sensing has been demonstrated [Nat. Nano. \textbf{7}, 509 (2012)], with the enhancement attributed to a feedback induced modification of the mechanical susceptibility. As a proof-of-principle we experimentally reproduce this result through straightforward filtering.Comment: 5 pages + 2 pages of Supplementary Informatio

Ethical decision making in a mixed methodological study investigating emotional intelligence and perceived stress amongst Academics

Whereas there appears to be a large body of literature that focuses on ethical concerns within the context of research, there continues to be a feeling of isolation and lack of awareness of ethical guidance and support that leaves researchers to rely on institutional ethical requirements as well as their own ethical principles and previous experience. Consequently, there can be a significant variance in the quality of research. The challenge is that ethical decision making is not a term that can be simply defined, as it appears to include multiple influences such as individual difference, that include personality and environmental factors. As there appears to be no universal consensus, and the definition of ethics is broad, it gives rise to difficulties in defining the term “ethics”. However, it is important that stakeholder rights and dignity are protected. Hence, ethics is an essential component that needs to be addressed when undertaking academic research. The aim of this paper is to discuss the ethical implications associated with the study that investigates the relationship between emotional intelligence and perceived stress amongst 533 academics, helping to add a little more to existing information

Mixed methods - theory and practice. Sequential, explanatory approach

There appears to be a paucity of research undertaken in emotional intelligence in higher education suggesting a gap in which research can be undertaken that can provide new insight and add together with knowledge and understanding. This article discusses a study using sequential, explanatory, mixed methodology, which was undertaken on a sample of 533 academics (those employed by a university full time, part time, and hourly and who may be lecturers, tutors, instructors, researchers). The reason for collecting sequential quantitative and qualitative data into one study brings together two types of information providing greater understanding and insight into the research topics that may not have been obtained analysing and evaluating data separately. The findings from interviews helps explain the findings from quantitative data

The relationship between emotional intelligence and well-being in academic employees

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between emotional demands, emotional intelligence and perceived stress in a sample of academic employees. The sample size of 100% (N =533) includes the following: 45.8% (N = 244) are male with a mean age of 48.78 (SD = 10.9) and median of 49; and 54.2% (N = 289) are female with a mean age of 47.29 (SD = 9.78) and median of 48. All academics work for universities in different countries around the world. Instruments associated with managing emotions (Trait emotional intelligence questionnaire- short form, TEIQue-SF) and perceived stress scale (PSS) are used in this study and the findings show that there is an invert relationship between perceived stress scale (PSS) and managing emotions; as PSS reduces managing emotions increases. The findings of this study provide a user-friendly summary that can inform and contribute to theory and future research