84 research outputs found
A new broccoli × broccoli immortal mapping population and framework genetic map: tools for breeders and complex trait analysis
No full textA unique broccoli x broccoli doubled haploid (DH) population has been created from the F-1 of a cross between two DH broccoli lines derived from cultivars Green Duke and Marathon. We genotyped 154 individuals from this population with simple sequence repeat and amplified fragment length polymorphism markers to create a B. oleracea L. var. italica 'intra-crop' specific framework linkage map. The map is composed of nine linkage groups with a total length of 946.7 cM. Previous published B. oleracea maps have been constructed using diverse crosses between morphotypes of B. oleracea; this map therefore represents a useful breeding resource for the dissection of broccoli specific traits. Phenotype data have been collected from the population over five growing seasons; the framework linkage map has been used to locate quantitative trait loci for agronomically important broccoli traits including head weight (saleable yield), head diameter, stalk diameter, weight loss and relative weight loss during storage, as well as traits for broccoli leaf architecture. This population and associated linkage map will aid breeders to directly map agronomically important traits for the improvement of elite broccoli cultivars
Functionals of exponential Brownian motion and divided differences
No full textWe provide a surprising new application of classical approximation theory to a fundamental asset-pricing model of mathematical finance. Specifically, we calculate an analytic value for the correlation coefficient between
exponential Brownian motion and its time average, and we find the use of divided differences greatly elucidates formulae, providing a path to several new results. As applications, we find that this correlation coefficient is always at least 1/p2 and, via the Hermite–Genocchi integral relation, demonstrate that all moments of the time average are certain divided differences of the exponential function. We also prove that these moments agree with the somewhat more complex formulae obtained by Oshanin and Yor
Tournament score sequences, Erd\H{o}s-Ginzburg-Ziv numbers, and the L\'evy-Khintchine method
No full textWe give a short proof of a recent result of Claesson, Dukes, Frankl\'in and
Stef\'ansson, that connects tournament score sequences and the
Erd\H{o}s-Ginzburg-Ziv numbers from additive number theory. We show that this
connection is, in fact, an instance of the L\'evy-Khintchine formula from
probability theory, and highlight how such formulas can be useful in
enumerative combinatorics. Our proof combines renewal theory with the
representation of score sequences as lattice paths, due to Erd\H{o}s and Moser
in the 1960s. These probabilistic and geometric points of view lead to a
simpler proof. A key idea in the original proof and ours is to consider cyclic
shifts of score sequences. We observe, however, that this idea is already
present in Kleitman's remarks added to one of Moser's final articles in 1968,
and in subsequent works by Kleitman. In the same article, Moser conjectured
that there are asymptotically many score sequences of length
. Combining the arguments in the current work with those in a recent work by
the third author, we demonstrate the utility of the L\'evy-Khintchine method,
by giving a short proof of Moser's conjecture
Public transaction cost of agri-environmental schemes and its determinants - Analysing stakeholders’ involvement and perceptions
No full textDespite a total budget increase for rural development in the new programming period (2007- 2013), for most older Member States in the now expanded European Union the multi-annual spending plan for the period 2007-2013 predicts a substantial decrease of the budget for rural development and thus for agri-environmental schemes (AESs). It can be assumed that nothing or only part of this loss could be compensated by national funds in most countries. Therefore designing more efficient national governance structures for AESs, which decrease public transaction costs (TCs), would be an appropriate answer to this problem. The objective of this paper is to define the factors influencing these public TCs, because then appropriate action can be taken to reduce them. A statistical analysis with a proxy for public TCs is combined with an analysis of the perception on public TCs influencing factors of the stakeholders involved (not including farmers). The research showed that mainly scheme related factors are perceived to be important, although the governance structure, institutional environment and trust also play a role. High public TCs are however not necessarily a problem, if they would lead to a higher environmental effectiveness of the schemes. It is important to pay attention to the heterogeneity of the natural environment and on the basis of that decide for a more centralised or decentralised approach to AES design.Public transaction costs, agrienvironmental schemes, Environmental Economics and Policy,
Screening and characterization of phosphate solubilizing bacteria from isolate of thermophilic bacteria
No full textModeling long-range dependent Gaussian processes with application in continuous-time financial models
No full textThis paper considers a class of nonstationary Gaussian processes with possible long-range dependence (LRD) and intermittency. The author proposes a new estimation method to simultaneously estimate both the LRD and intermittency parameter. An application of the proposed estimation method to a continuous-time financial model is discussed.continuous-time model; diffusion process; long-range dependent process; parameter estimation; stochastic volatility
Living Labels
No full textFlavobacteria are marine organisms that produce vivid, angle-dependent colour as their cells organise into structures that interact with light. These optical structures, resulting in structural colour, are influenced by environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. In this graduation project, the aim was to integrate living Flavobacteria into a flexible, sustainable material, creating labels that communicate environmental signals through changes in the structural colour of the embedded Flavobacteria. Understanding how to maintain Flavobacteria and their structural colour, outside the laboratory can be the steppingstone to make the entry of these microorganisms into the world of design.The initial phase of the project focused on understanding the requirements for Flavobacteria to make structural colour outside the controlled laboratory environment. This understanding was crucial to design in a way that accommodates the unique characteristics of these microorganisms. Temperature was selected as the primary environmental stimulus to address, given its significant impact on the size and colour of the Flavobacteria colony. Additionally, temperature changes can be transferred through materials and therefore enable a sealed label without the necessity of openings to let environmental stimuli through. The second phase involved an iterative experimentation process, which aimed to identify a suitable top material of the label that would facilitate the formation of structural colour by Flavobacteria. Additionally, efforts were directed towards finding an appropriate growth medium for Flavobacteria within the living label and devising an activation method that would initiate their growth exclusively during the product’s use phase. The outcomes of this iterative process were then integrated into a vision for the living label.The project continues by presenting a future vision for the living label and proposing additional guidelines for designing with Flavobacteria. This vision draws upon literature research as well as the findings and insights gained through this graduation project. Further research is recommended regarding the characterization of the temperature influence on Flavobacteria, improving the surface texture of the medium used in the living labelTo conclude, by combining existing knowledge with the project’s outcomes, a first proof of concept for a living label is proposed, paving the way for future exploration and application of these living microorganisms in innovative design contexts.Integrated Product Desig
Media treasure box: A media literacy workshop for primary school pupils
No full textIn the current medialized world, it has become of great importance for citizens to know how to deal with the media accordingly. Understanding and having a critical attitude towards the media content that we “consume” and being able to work with media devices and platforms has become as important as learning to read and write. Sound and Vision, thé institute of media in the Netherlands therefore wants to offer a product for children in group 7/8 (Dutch education system, age 10-12) that can be used in the classroom, to make them more media literate. My context mapping research with several groups of children throughout the Netherlands, showed that children use many different media devices and are very active on social media. They are competent in accessing information and creating their own media content. Among these children, YouTube is the most popular platform on which countless hours of influencer videos are watched. However, children are very influenceable in this stage of their lives and take the information provided by the influencers often as the truth. The children have too little analytical skills and have to improve their ‘analyze’ competence: understanding a media message through textual and contextual analysis. Additionally, interviews with several teachers gave insights in appropriate teaching methods for this age group and in this context. In group 7/8, children learn best by doing and experimenting. They prefer to work together and with theme that is connected to their personal life. Based on these insights, the workshop ‘de media schatkist’ was designed. The workshop’s learning objective is ‘critical examination and viewing comprehension’. The children will take a better look at media content and think about missing or misleading information. In the workshop examples of earlier and recent influencer advertisement videos are used. These videos are short and easy to compare for the children because they always contain the same elements and structure. The elements serve as subthemes in the workshop: the setting, the sound and the actor in the advertisement. The children discover these themes in three parts. The first part contains analytical questions about the original audiovisual content from the Sound and Vision archive. In the second part, they discover the effects of content alteration of the original content. In the last part, the children are invited and supported to create media content themselves and to create a visual story. In the museum of Sound and Vision, the visitors are taken into a media world with all kinds of installations. To also bring this experience to the school, the classroom will be transformed into several small media environments. The children will receive boxes that through opening will create the environment, see figure 1. In the boxes, the children find products and attributes for their playfull active and coorperative media production assignment. Every theme has its own environment: a film set, a sound studio and the actors dressing room
Nonlinear Levy and nonlinear Feller processes : an analytic introduction
No full textThe program of studying general nonlinear Markov processes was put forward in V. N. Kolokoltsov "Nonlinear Markov Semigroups and Interacting L\'evy Type Processes" (Journ. Stat. Physics 126:3 (2007), 585-642), and was developed by the author in monograph "Nonlinear Markov processes and kinetic equations". Cambridge University Press, 2010, where, in particular, nonlinear L\'evy processes were introduced.
The present paper is an invitation to the rapidly developing topic of noninear Markov processes. We provide a quick (and at the same time more abstract) introduction to the basic analytical aspects of the theory developed in Part II of the above mentioned book
Assessing environmental sustainability of digital health devices at a product and functional level: A smart pillbox case study
No full textThis study explores the environmental sustainability of digital health devices, specifically smart pillboxes, which are designed to help patients manage their medication, improve their health, and reduce medication non-adherence. The use of such devices has increased electronic and plastic waste and has resulted in a higher demand for critical raw materials, raising questions about their potential environmental impacts. The Digital Health in Circular Economy (DiCE) project aims to address these issues by examining the environmental sustainability of digital health devices and providing solutions to reduce their impact on the environment. This research uses Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Disassembly Map, Recovery Assessment, and Circular Product Readiness methods to assess the environmental impact of smart pillboxes at both product and functional levels. The study examines the potential environmental impact of the product's materials, production, use, and end-of-life disposal. The research suggests improvements to increase the product's environmental sustainability, such as the use of screws instead of snap fits to attach the sub-assemblies, fixating the battery in a designated spot to prevent detaching, and promoting environmentally desirable habits, such as prolonging battery life and guiding end-of-life recovery of the product. The study concludes that there is potential for further improvement to increase the product's environmental sustainability, which could lead to an improved overall health. While the current findings do not lead to absolute conclusions, this research provides a basis for comparing the environmental impact (in DALY) and benefits of digital health devices (in QALY).DiCE projectIndustrial Ecolog
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