On the distribution of multiplicatively dependent vectors

In this paper, we study the distribution of multiplicatively dependent vectors. For example, although they have zero Lebesgue measure, they are everywhere dense both in $\R^n$ and \C^n. We also study this property in a more detailed manner by considering the covering radius of such vectors.Comment: 19 page

Very-large-scale motions in rough-bed open-channel flow

Acknowledgements The study has been supported by two EPSRC/UK grants, ‘High-resolution numerical and experimental studies of turbulence-induced sediment erosion and near-bed transport’ (EP/G056404/1) and ‘Bed friction in rough-bed free-surface flows: a theoretical framework, roughness regimes, and quantification’ (EP/K041169/1). Discussions with I. Marusic and comments of three anonymous reviewers are greatly appreciated.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Manipulation of carbon media, temperature and hydraulic efficiency to increase nitrate removal rate in denitrification beds

The accumulation of reactive nitrogen (Nr) in terrestrial and aquatic environments is a global environmental issue that causes or contributes to climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, and deterioration of coastal and terrestrial waters. Point source discharges of Nr from municipal and septic treatment systems, agricultural tile drainage, and industrial discharges contribute to these issues. Practical, low-cost methods are needed to reduce the Nr load into the environment from small-volume point source discharges. Denitrification beds are one such method. Improving the nitrate removal rate of denitrification beds will lead to reduced bed volumes, lower construction costs that likely facilitate greater uptake of the technology and reduced accumulation of Nr in the environment. The main objective of this thesis was to test a number of approaches that might increase the rate of nitrate removal rate in a denitrification bed under non-nitrate limiting conditions, including: manipulation of carbon source, temperature and hydraulic flow. To date, operational denitrification beds have used wood media as the carbon source which sustains nitrate removal rates of between 2–10 g N m-3 of media d-1 and relatively high permeability. While previous laboratory experiments have investigated the potential of alternative carbon sources, these studies were typically of short duration and small scale and did not necessarily provide reliable information for denitrification bed design purposes. To address this issue, nitrate removal, hydraulic and nutrient leaching characteristics of nine different carbon substrates were compared in 0.2 m3 barrels, at 14oC and 23.5oC over a 23 month period. The relationship between hydraulic efficiency and nitrate removal of the different media was also investigated. Findings from the barrel trial were field tested in pilot scale (2.9 m3) denitrification beds receiving municipal effluent dosed with KNO3, over a 15 month period. The pilot scale trial tested whether nitrate removal could be improved by using an alternative carbon media (maize cobs) and increasing bed temperature through passive solar heating. The influence of bed flow regime (horizontal-point, horizontal-diffuse, downflow and upflow) on hydraulic efficiency and nitrate removal was also investigated. This thesis demonstrated that more labile carbon sources, such as maize cobs, had significantly higher nitrate removal rates (15.0 to 21.8 g N m-3 d-1) than wood media (3.0 to 4.9 g N m-3 d-1) over the duration of the barrel trial. Nitrate removal rates increased with increasing temperature with mean Q10 of 1.6 for all media. The hydraulic efficiency of fragmented wood media decreased with increasing grain-size. However, nitrate removal rate was not dependent on hydraulic efficiency of the media, which was attributed to the significant secondary porosity of the media allowing denitrification to occur both on the surface and within the media particle. In the pilot scale trial, bed temperature increased by 3.4oC due to passive solar heating, but did not cause a measureable increase in nitrate removal rate due to variability in removal rates and possibly low temperature responsiveness of maize cobs for removing nitrate. Flow regime affected the hydraulic efficiency of denitrification beds and nitrate removal rates were lower in flow regimes with poor hydraulic efficiency. This was attributed to short-circuit flow reducing the bed volume that contributed to nitrate removal. The results indicate that a four-fold reduction in denitrification bed size could potentially be achieved by using maize cobs as the carbon substrate, as opposed to wood fragments, and increasing bed temperature by incorporating passive solar heating techniques. The findings of this thesis indicate that future research on improving the nitrate removal rate of denitrification beds under non-nitrate limiting conditions should focus on carbon substrates, increasing bed temperature, and hydraulic design of beds rather than on hydraulic efficiency of media. For example, research on coupling improved solar heating design with an appropriate inlet/outlet structure and location

Regulação do profissional de saúde na Austrália: uma visão de antípodas

Este artigo analisa a regulação dos profissionais de saúde na Austrália. Começa descrevendo os poderes constitucionais para regular os serviços de saúde na federação australiana e o sistema criado de direitos de acesso à saúde. O artigo examina a atual Lei Nacional de Regulação do Profissional de Saúde, que tenta criar um sistema regulatório uniforme para os profissionais de saúde na Austrália. O trabalho investiga o funcionamento desse sistema e os dados atuais sobre sua operação, concluindo com um olhar sobre seus desafios futuros.This article reviews health practitioner regulation in Australia. It starts with a review of the constitutional powers to regulate healthcare in the Australian Federal system and the system of rights to access health that have been created. The article then examines the current National Law, which was an attempt to create a uniform regulatory system for healthcare practitioners in Australia. The paper examines the working of that system and  current data on its operation and concludes with looking to future challenges for the system

Impact on maternity professionals of novel approaches to clinical audit feedback

We compared three approaches to feedback of clinical audit findings relating to miscarriage in 15 Scottish maternity services (printed report alone; report plus Action Planning Letter; report plus face-to-face Facilitated Action Planning). We surveyed clinicians to measure Theory of Planned Behaviour constructs (in the context of two audit criteria) before and after feedback (n=253) and assessed perceptions of the audit through in-depth interviews (n=17). Pre-feedback, clinicians had positive attitudes and strong subjective norms and intentions to comply, although perceived behavioural control was lower. Generally, positive attitudes, subjective norms and intentions increased after feedback but for one of the two criteria (providing a 7-day miscarriage service), perceived behavioural control decreased. No changes over time reached statistical significance and analysis of covariance (adjusting for pre-feedback scores) showed no consistent relationships between method of feedback and post-feedback construct scores. Interviews revealed positive perceptions of audit but frustration at lack of capacity to implement changes. While interventions which increased intensity of feedback proved feasible and acceptable to clinicians, we were unable to demonstrate that they increased intention to comply with audit criteria.This study was funded by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland

Bioterrorism

This presentation was made during the Observables and Indicators & Warning Panel which provided an expert-centered overview of phenomenology and information necessary to support assessment of CBRNE threats. These assessments shape the effective policy and decision-making of health and food protection and security locally, nationally, and transnationally. Perspectives address data and information necessary to support critical decision-making tasks under stress