Consequentialism, Indirect Effects and Fair Trade

In this article I consider two consequentialist positions on whether individuals in affluent countries ought to purchase Fair Trade goods. One is a narrow argument, which asserts that individuals should purchase Fair Trade goods because this will have positive direct effects on poverty reduction, by, for example, channelling money into development. I argue that this justification is insufficient to show that individuals should purchase Fair Trade goods because individuals could achieve similar results by donating money to charity and, therefore, without purchasing Fair Trade goods. The second position has a wider focus. It notes both the direct effects of purchasing Fair Trade goods and possible indirect effects, such as the impact this might have on other individuals. I argue that certain actions, of which Fair Trade is one example, will be more likely to encourage individuals who would not otherwise contribute to poverty reduction to contribute and that this may produce additional positive value. Although space prohibits specific conclusions about Fair Trade, I note that considerations of this kind could give us reason to purchase such goods beyond those that issue from the direct effects of doing so and that, as such, they are crucial for determining whether individuals should purchase Fair Trade good

Noncommutative Kn\"{o}rrer periodicity and noncommutative Kleinian singularities

We establish a version of Kn\"{o}rrer's Periodicity Theorem in the context of noncommutative invariant theory. Namely, let $A$ be a left noetherian AS-regular algebra, let $f$ be a normal and regular element of $A$ of positive degree, and take $B=A/(f)$. Then there exists a bijection between the set of isomorphism classes of indecomposable non-free maximal Cohen-Macaulay modules over $B$ and those over (a noncommutative analog of) its second double branched cover $(B^\#)^\#$. Our results use and extend the study of twisted matrix factorizations, which was introduced by the first three authors with Cassidy. These results are applied to the noncommutative Kleinian singularities studied by the second and fourth authors with Chan and Zhang.Comment: Numerous typos fixed, removed unnecessary finite order hypothesi

Minimizing the Impact of Synchronization Overhead in Parallel Discrete Event Simulations

A Parallel Discrete Event Simulation Coprocessor was designed for conservative synchronization protocols and was implemented in software using some of a parallel computer\u27s nodes to act as coprocessors. The coprocessor was designed to offload synchronization overhead and next event queue management from the nodes running the simulation. The coprocessor was designed to accelerate simulations based on the Simulation Protocol Evaluation on a Concurrent Testbed with ReUsable Modules (SPECTRUM) environment. The research was conducted in three steps: the SPECTRUM environment was ported from an Intel iPSC-2 to an Intel Paragon XP-S, the coprocessor was designed and the simulations were timed, with and without the coprocessor. In some cases, the coprocessor provided up to a 2.5 times speedup

The Uncertainty Principle in Control Theory for Partial Differential Equations

In this thesis, we will study the interaction between problems in control theory for partial differential equations and inequalities of the uncertainty principle type. The main results will concern the boundary observability of the viscoelastic wave equation and energy decay rates of damped wave equations. In the boundary case, we will prove what may be viewed as a higher dimensional version of Ingham\u27s inequality, replacing the complex exponentials with Laplacian eigenfunctions. For energy decay rates on the real line, we will use a version of the Paneah-Logvinenko-Sereda theorem for functions with Fourier support contained in multiple intervals. We prove the exact variation which we need and apply it to internal observability as well as decay rates for damped wave equations as well. We also give partial results in higher dimensions and some open problems. We will also investigate the connection between compactness of localization operators and uncertainty principles from an abstract harmonic analysis perspective. We give some general results which are applied to the wavelet transform

METAL METHYLATION IN ESTUARINE WATERS

Metal methylation has been studied in estiiarine waters by directly coupled GC-AAS/llquid nitrogen trapped hydride generation systems and determined accurately. Surveys were carried out in the estuaries of the River Tamar, Camon and Beaulieu (S. England) over a seasonal cycle. Methylated forms of Fb were only observed in rain, drain and estuarine water samples collected in the Tamar. In estuarine waters (GH«)«Fb*'' (<2-10 ng Fb 1"^) was the predominant methylated Fb species. Monomethylarsenic and dimethylarsenic species were observed in the water column in a ll3 estuaries studied. In the Tamar, Beaulieu and Carnon concentrations of methylated As species were similar with concentrations ranging from <0.02-0.7 pg As 1"^. In Tamar porewaters concentrations of methylated As species ranged from< 0.02-0.7 As 1"-^. Methylated forms of Se {Se(CH^)^, 0.5ug Se l"""-) were detected on an occasion in the Carnon. Modelling studies on Pb methylation suggest that conversion of trimethyllead acetate to Ti-IL proceeds by a chemical sulphide-mediated pathway (maximum 2.8% conversion occurred for a biological sediment system). Methylation of inorganic Pb ( H ) salts was not reproducible (maximum conversion of 0,OZQ% for PbGl^) but when observed a biologically mediated methylation process was invoked. From laboratory modelling studies temporal variations in As speciation observed in the Tamar were attributed to seasonal contributions of methylated As species from 3 sources: (i) macro-algae; ( ii ) diatoms; ( iii ) porewaters. The predominance of dimethylarsenic species over monomethylarsenic species in summer reflects the importance of plankton sources. In winter a transition takes place where the predominance of methylated As species occur and concentrations of monomethylarsenic species exceeds that of dimethylarsenic species. This transition is attributed to the increased importance of the porewater source in winter. The significance of metal methylation in the cycling of Pb, As and Se in estuarine waters appears to follow the order Asj>Se>^Fb. The biomethylation of As being highly significant in the transportation of As in the environment.Marine Biological Association Citadel Hill, Plymout

Simmering in the tombs: the role of the zombie in Patrick Chamoiseau\u27s Chronique des Sept Misères and Simone Schwarz-Bart\u27s Ti Jean L\u27horizon

The figure of the zombie is a recurring trope for writers in the French Antilles. Two of the most influential and popular authors in modern French-Antillean literature are Patrick Chamoiseau from Martinique and Simone Schwarz-Bart from Guadeloupe. Both of these authors use the figure of the zombie as representations of colonization and the lingering trauma of slavery in Antillean society. In this thesis, I examine two of the most well-known works by these authors, Chamoiseau’s Chronique des Sept Misères (1986) and Schwarz-Bart’s Ti Jean L’horizon (1979), and how these texts use the nature of the zombie in an effort to define Antillean identity. I argue that it is through the use of the zombie in these texts that Schwarz-Bart and Chamoiseau are able to create a portrait of Antillean culture which, as well as illustrating the importance of history, also proposes a plan to strengthen Antillean identity and literature in the future

The Ultra-Fast Outflow of WKK 4438: Suzaku and NuSTAR X-ray Spectral Analysis

Previous X-ray spectral analysis has revealed an increasing number of AGNs with high accretion rates where an outflow with a mildly relativistic velocity originates from the inner accretion disk. Here we report the detection of a new ultra-fast outflow (UFO) with a velocity of $v_{\rm out}=0.319^{+0.005}_{-0.008}c$ in addition to a relativistic disk reflection component in a poorly studied NLS1 WKK~4438, based on archival \nustar and \suzaku observations. The spectra of both \suzaku and \nustar observations show an Fe~\textsc{xxvi} absorption feature and the \suzaku data also show evidence for an Ar~\textsc{xviii} with the same blueshift. A super-solar argon abundance ($Z^{\prime}_{\rm Ar}>6Z_{\odot}$) and a slight iron over-abundance ($Z^{\prime}_{\rm Fe}=2.6^{+1.9}_{-2.0}Z_{\odot}$) are found in our spectral modelling. Based on Monte-Carlo simulations, the detection of the UFO is estimated to be around at 3$\sigma$ significance. The fast wind most likely arises from a radius of $\geq20r_g$ away from the central black hole. The disk is accreting at a high Eddington ratio ($L_{\rm bol}=0.4-0.7L_{\rm Edd}$). The mass outflow rate of the UFO is comparable with the disk mass inflow rate ($\dot M_{\rm out}>30\%\dot M_{\rm in}$), assuming a maximum covering factor. The kinetic power of the wind might not be high enough to have influence in AGN feedback ($\dot E_{\rm wind}/L_{\rm bol}\approx 3-5\%$) due to a relatively small column density ($12^{+9}_{-4}\times10^{22}$~cm$^{-2}$). However note that both the inferred velocity and the column density could be lower limits owing to the low viewing angle ($i=23^{+3}_{-2}$$^{\circ}$).Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, accepted by MNRA

Methodologies for CIM systems integration in small batch manufacturing

This thesis is concerned with identifying the problems and constraints faced by small batch manufacturing companies during the implementation of Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM). The main aim of this work is to recommend generic solutions to these problems with particular regard to those constraints arising because of the need for ClM systems integration involving both new and existing systems and procedures. The work has involved the application of modern computer technologies, including suitable hardware and software tools, in an industrial environment. Since the research has been undertaken with particular emphasis on the industrial implementor's viewpoint, it is supported by the results of a two phased implementation of computer based control systems within the machine shop of a manufacturing company. This involved the specific implementation of a Distributed Numerical Control system on a single machine in a group technology cell of machines followed by the evolution of this system into Cell and Machine Management Systems to provide a comprehensive decision support and information distribution facility for the foremen and uperators within the cell. The work also required the integration of these systems with existing Factory level manufacturing control and CADCAM functions. Alternative approaches have been investigated which may have been applicable under differing conditions and the implications that this specific work has for CIM systems integration in small batch manufacturing companies evaluated with regard not only to the users within an industrial company but also the systems suppliers external to the company. The work has resulted in certain generic contributions to knowledge by complementing ClM systems integration research with regard to problems encountered; cost implications; the use of appropriate methodologies including the role of emerging international standard methods, tools and technologies and also the importance of 'human integration' when implementing CIM systems in a real industrial situation