Small sets of complementary observables

Two observables are called complementary if preparing a physical object in an eigenstate of one of them yields a completely random result in a measurement of the other. We investigate small sets of complementary observables that cannot be extended by yet another complementary observable. We construct explicit examples of the unextendible sets up to dimension $16$ and conjecture certain small sets to be unextendible in higher dimensions. Our constructions provide three complementary measurements, only one observable away from the ultimate minimum of two observables in the set. Almost all of our examples in finite dimension allow to discriminate pure states from some mixed states, and shed light on the complex topology of the Bloch space of higher-dimensional quantum systems

Использование метода анализа иерархий для оценки факторов эффективности маркетингового менеджмента туристско-оздоровительных комплексов

Обосновывается целесообразность использования метода анализа иерархий для оценки факторов, способствующих повышению эффективности маркетингового менеджмента туристических предприятий.Обґрунтовується доцільність використання методу аналізу ієрархії для оцінювання чинників, які сприяють підвищенню ефективності маркетингового менеджменту туристичних підприємств.The expediency of applying the method of analysis of hierarchies for the estimation of the factors which provide the effectiveness of marketing management of tourist enterprises is grounded

Automated tagging of environmental data using a novel SKOS formatted environmental thesaurus

There is increasing need to use the widest range of data to address issues of environmental management and change, which is reflected in increasing emphasis from government funding agencies for better management and access to environmental data. Bringing together different environmental datasets to confidently enable integrated analysis requires reference to common standards and definitions, which are frequently lacking in environmental data, due to the broad subject area and lack of metadata. Automatic inclusion within datasets of controlled vocabulary concepts from publicly available standard vocabularies facilitates accurate annotation and promotes efficiency of metadata creation. To this end, we have developed a thesaurus capable of describing environmental chemistry datasets. We demonstrate a novel method for tagging datasets, via insertion of this thesaurus into a Laboratory Information Management System, enabling automated tagging of data, thus promoting semantic interoperability between tagged data resources. Being web available, and formatted using the Simple Knowledge Organisation System (SKOS) semantic standard, this thesaurus is capable of providing links both to and from other relevant thesauri, thus facilitating a linked data approach. Future developments will see extension of the thesaurus by the user community, in terms of both concepts included and links to externally hosted vocabularies. By employing a Linked Open Data approach, we anticipate that Web-based tools will be able to use concepts from the thesaurus to discover and link data to other information sources, including use in national assessment of the extent and condition of environmental resources

No-activation theorem for Gaussian nonclassical correlations by Gaussian operations

We study general quantum correlations of continuous variable Gaussian states and their interplay with entanglement. Specifically, we investigate the existence of a quantum protocol activating all nonclassical correlations between the subsystems of an input bipartite continuous variable system, into output entanglement between the system and a set of ancillae. For input Gaussian states, we prove that such an activation protocol cannot be accomplished with Gaussian operations, as the latter are unable to create any output entanglement from an initial separable yet nonclassical state in a worst-case scenario. We then construct a faithful non-Gaussian activation protocol, encompassing infinite-dimensional generalizations of controlled-not gates to generate entanglement between system and ancillae, in direct analogy with the finite-dimensional case. We finally calculate the negativity of quantumness, an operational measure of nonclassical correlations defined in terms of the performance of the activation protocol, for relevant classes of two-mode Gaussian states

Perspectives in visual imaging for marine biology and ecology: from acquisition to understanding

Durden J, Schoening T, Althaus F, et al. Perspectives in Visual Imaging for Marine Biology and Ecology: From Acquisition to Understanding. In: Hughes RN, Hughes DJ, Smith IP, Dale AC, eds. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. 54. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2016: 1-72

Mapping natural capital: optimising the use of national scale datasets

Understanding the spatial distribution of specific environmental variables and the interdependencies of these variables is crucial for managing the environment in a sustainable way. Here we discuss two methods of mapping – a Geographical Information System classification-based approach and a statistical model-based approach. If detailed, spatially comprehensive covariate datasets exist to complement the ecological-response data, then using a statistical model-based analysis provides the potential for greater understanding of underlying relationships, as well as the uncertainty in the spatial predictions. Further, the model-based approach facilitates scenario testing. Although similar methods are already adopted in species distribution modeling, the flexibility of the model framework used is rarely exploited to go beyond modeling occupancy or suitability for a single species, into modeling complex derived metrics such as community composition and indicators of natural capital. As an example, we assess the potential benefits of the statistical model-based approach to mapping natural capital through the use of two national survey datasets; The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) Land Cover Map (LCM) and the British Geological Survey’s (BGS) Parent Material Model (PMM), to predict national soil microbial community distributions based on data from a sample of > 1000 soils covering Great Britain. The results are mapped and compared against a more traditional, land classification-based approach. The comparison shows that, although the maps look broadly similar, the model-based approach provides better overall spatial prediction, and the contribution of individual model terms (along with their uncertainty) are far easier to understand and interpret, whilst also facilitating any scenario testing. We therefore both recommend the use of spatial statistical modelling techniques to map natural capital and anticipate that they will become more prominent over the forthcoming years

S’auto évaluer pour agir : rôle du sentiment d’efficacité personnelle dans les pratiques d’enseignement

Dans son quotidien, l’enseignant est amené à prendre des décisions, évaluer les éléments favorables du contexte, mobiliser des ressources afin d’organiser l’activité pédagogique. L’ensemble de ces choix tactiques ou stratégiques est sous-tendu par un processus d’auto-évaluation de son action que nous avons souhaité analyser. Au sein du collège les enseignants vivent en direct la nécessaire adaptation de leur projet pédagogique à la spécificité des élèves et à la différenciation de leurs actes. Ces enseignants, entre deux rives, ont au quotidien à la fois, à conduire leur activité, à auto évaluer celle-ci et à construire des pratiques efficaces. Notre recherche nous permet de décrire et d’expliquer le rôle des processus internes d’auto-évaluation des actions professionnelles. Ces procédures sont en interaction avec la construction chez l’enseignant d’un sentiment d’auto-efficacité qui, au-delà de renforcer l’estime de soi, est un véritable moteur de la valorisation et de la production des actes d’enseignement.<br>In their day to day work, teachers are required to make decisions, evaluate the positive elements in their environment and mobilize resources in order to organize their pedagogical activity. All of these tactical or strategic choices are underlain by a self-evaluation process of their action that we have chosen to analyze. In junior high school, teachers get to see how it is necessary to adapt their pedagogical projects to students’ specificity and to differentiated acts. Daily, these teachers have, at the same time, to conduct their activity, to self-evaluate it and to conceive efficient practices. This study enables us to better describe and explain the role of internal self-assessment processes of professional actions. These self-evaluation processes interact with the building of a sense of efficiency that, beyond strengthening teachers’ self-esteem, is a true engine of development and production of acts of education

‘Add Twitter and Stir’:The Use of Twitter by Public Authorities in Norway and UK during the 2014-15 Ebola outbreak

This article examines how Norwegian and UK health authorities used social media, and especially Twitter, during the 2014-15 Ebola outbreak. The microblogging service has been regarded as a promising medium for crisis communicators due to its immediacy and dialogical potential. Twitter allows communicators to respond directly to users? concerns and provide them with more precisely tailored information. However, scholars have raised questions over organizations? ability to respond to the the medium. We address these questions in two ways: 1. we examine the social media strategies adopted by the health authorities at the time of the outbreak. 2. we conduct an analysis of tweets produced by health authorities concerning the Ebola outbreak. Our analyses display some differences between UK and Norwegian authorities in terms of the strategies they adopted and the tweets they produced. However, neither country fully exploited Twitter?s dialogical potential. Both countries authorities preferred a vertically integrated approach with minimal opportunities for the public to engage and little monitoring of the wider Twitter ?conversations?. We conclude that the emergence of social media has not led to a paradigm shift in crisis communication for these countries? health authorities, rather to an evolution and adaption of practices and policies.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Precambrian olistoliths masquerading as sills from Death Valley, California

Olistolith production and magmatism are processes commonly associated with extensional tectonic settings, such as rift basins. We present a cautionary exemplar from one such Precambrian basin, in which we reinterpret metabasite bodies, previously documented as sills, to be olistoliths. We nevertheless demonstrate that, on the basis of field observation alone, the previous but erroneous sill interpretation is parsimonious. Indeed, it is only by using isotopic age and compositional analysis that the true identities of these metabasite olistoliths are revealed. We present new data from metabasites and metasedimentary strata of the Kingston Peak Formation (Cryogenian) and Crystal Spring Formation (Mesoproterozoic) of Death Valley, USA. These include field observations, U?Pb apatite ages, U?Pb zircon ages (detrital and igneous) and whole-rock geochemistry. These data also provide a new maximum age for the base of the Pahrump Group and suggest that the Crystal Spring Diabase was more tholeiitic than previously thought. Similar sill/olistolith misinterpretations may have occurred elsewhere, potentially producing erroneous age and tectonic-setting interpretations of surrounding strata. This is particularly relevant in Precambrian rocks, where fossil age constraints are rare. This is illustrated herein using a potential example from the Neoproterozoic literature of the Lufilian belt, Africa. We caution others against Precambrian olistoliths masquerading as sills.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Use of biomarkers to assess fruit and vegetables intake

A high intake of fruit and vegetables (FV) has been associated with reduced risk of a number of chronic diseases, including CVD. The aim of this review is to describe the potential use of biomarkers to assess FV intake. Traditional methods of assessing FV intake have limitations, and this is likely to impact on observed associations with disease outcomes and markers of disease risk. Nutritional biomarkers may offer a more objective and reliable method of assessing dietary FV intake. Some single blood biomarkers, such as plasma vitamin C and serum carotenoids, are well established as indicators of FV intake. Combining potential biomarkers of intake may more accurately predict overall FV intake within intervention studies than the use of any single biomarker. Another promising approach is metabolomic analysis of biological fluids using untargeted approaches to identify potential new biomarkers of FV intake. Using biomarkers to measure FV intake may improve the accuracy of dietary assessment.authorsversionPeer reviewe