Quantum Smoluchowski equation: Escape from a metastable state

We develop a quantum Smoluchowski equation in terms of a true probability distribution function to describe quantum Brownian motion in configuration space in large friction limit at arbitrary temperature and derive the rate of barrier crossing and tunneling within an unified scheme. The present treatment is independent of path integral formalism and is based on canonical quantization procedure.Comment: 10 pages, To appear in the Proceedings of Statphys - Kolkata I

The International Grid (iGrid): Empowering Global Research Community Networking Using High Performance International Internet Services

The Electronic Visualization Laboratory (EVL) at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Indiana University collaborated on a major research demonstration at the IEEE/ACM Supercomputing '98 (SC'98) conference in Orlando, Florida, November 7-13, 1998, to showcase the evolution and importance of global research community networking. Collaborators worked together to solve complex computational problems using advanced high-speed networks to access geographically-distributed computing, storage, and display resources. It is the collection of computing and communication resources that we refer to as the International Grid (iGrid). This paper presents an overview of the grid testbed, some of the underlying technologies used to enable distributed computing and collaborative problem solving, and descriptions of the applications. It concludes with recommendations for the future of global research community networking, based on the experiences of iGrid participants from the USA, Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, The Netherlands, Russia, Switzerland, Singapore, and Taiwan

Quantitative analysis of the effects of ultrasound from an odor sprayer on moth flight behavior

A piezoelectric sprayer was recently developed for precision release of odor stimuli in olfactory research. The device replaces conventional dispensers used to release semiochemicals in studies of moth flight toward odor sources. However, the device generates high-frequency sounds in the range that some moths can hear. Ultrasound from the standard set-up sprayer had a considerable impact on flight behavior of the silver Y moth, Autographa gamma, tested in a flight tunnel. It was affected at all behavioral stages when the dispenser was driven at 120 kHz. Only 5% of the moths reached the source when exposed to 120-kHz sound from the dispenser compared to 65% in the control group without sound. The proportion taking flight was also reduced. Hearing threshold curves obtained electrophysiologically revealed that moths were sensitive to the frequency range at which the sprayer was operated and that sound intensity from the sprayer was up to 40 dB above the moths' electrophysiological hearing threshold. The audiogram for A. gamma was similar to audiograms obtained for other noctuids. Hearing sensitivity was highest at around 15 kHz, where the threshold was 35 dB SPL (sound pressure level). The threshold increased with frequency up to 94 dB SPL at 160 kHz. We improved the sprayer to operate at 300 kHz, which is beyond the hearing ability of most insects with ears. At this high frequency, the moths' sensitivity to ultrasound is reduced considerably, and we did not observe any effect on flight behavior compared to a control group without sound. Accordingly, this new piezoelectric sprayer can be used with ultrasound-sensitive insects and insensitive insects alike

SPREE Water Sector Report Deliverable 5.1

Executive Summary The SPREE Water Research (Work Package 4) objectives are: - To develop sector-specific methodological tools in the water sector to measure the impacts derived from the shift towards servicizing; - To broader the understanding why previous policies in the water sector haven't led to absolute decoupling; - To explore existing examples and best practices (if exist) in servicizing systems within the water sector and to identify additional potential servicizing systems opportunities; - To understand the role of ICT and eco-innovation in servicizing in the water sector; - To build a conceptual framework for assessing social aspects of servicizing systems in the water sector, in particular, the links between water and wellbeing; - To identify potential servicizing policy paradigms that can lead to an absolute decoupling in the water sector; - To collect relevant data for the servicizing system and servicizing policy in the sector, according to the general methodologies developed in WP3 (“Methodology development”) and the sectorspecific methodologies developed in WP4. Following pre-defined tasks set out under WP4, the aim of this deliverable is twofold: (1) It sets out the conceptual and methodological frameworks of servicizing in the water sector, and (2) It serves to identify the specific water system to be investigated in the project and presents the appropriate methodologies to be employed for researching this system in the SPREE water sector countries (UK, Spain and Israel). Exploring the key elements and aspects of servicizing in the water sector seeks to clarify also the links between water and well-being and the role of servicizing in decoupling water and well-being

SPREE Water Sector Report Deliverable 5.1

Executive Summary The SPREE Water Research (Work Package 4) objectives are: - To develop sector-specific methodological tools in the water sector to measure the impacts derived from the shift towards servicizing; - To broader the understanding why previous policies in the water sector haven't led to absolute decoupling; - To explore existing examples and best practices (if exist) in servicizing systems within the water sector and to identify additional potential servicizing systems opportunities; - To understand the role of ICT and eco-innovation in servicizing in the water sector; - To build a conceptual framework for assessing social aspects of servicizing systems in the water sector, in particular, the links between water and wellbeing; - To identify potential servicizing policy paradigms that can lead to an absolute decoupling in the water sector; - To collect relevant data for the servicizing system and servicizing policy in the sector, according to the general methodologies developed in WP3 (“Methodology development”) and the sectorspecific methodologies developed in WP4. Following pre-defined tasks set out under WP4, the aim of this deliverable is twofold: (1) It sets out the conceptual and methodological frameworks of servicizing in the water sector, and (2) It serves to identify the specific water system to be investigated in the project and presents the appropriate methodologies to be employed for researching this system in the SPREE water sector countries (UK, Spain and Israel). Exploring the key elements and aspects of servicizing in the water sector seeks to clarify also the links between water and well-being and the role of servicizing in decoupling water and well-being

The importance of institutions and policy settings for car sharing - Evidence from the UK, Israel, Sweden and Finland

The rapid growth of cities requires effective management of transport demand and restructuring of transport systems to address the needs of growing urban populations in an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable way. In recent years, car sharing has emerged as an alternative to owning cars in cities, which has potential to bring environmental gains and address social considerations. There is a sizeable academic inquiry about the social and environmental benefits of car sharing and the barriers to its introduction and provision in different empirical contexts. However, most research on the determinants of its uptake and the ease of provision remains limited to investigating consumer demand and how to realise the benefits of car sharing. Drawing on cases from the UK, Israel, Sweden and Finland, this paper focuses on the institutional and policy settings to understand the systemic barriers for car sharing services in diverse urban contexts to expand knowledge on the challenges to and the challenges that emerge from car sharing schemes