3,327 research outputs found
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No full textHere is a curious book. Its title-page declares "The Artist's Book of Fables" but its pre-title-page has "Fables, Original and Selected, with a Memoir of the Author." After that title-page, it is identical with "Fables, Original and Selected" as in our copy printed by John Murray in 1833. There is again an AI at the front and an index of engravings and engravers at the back. I found that copy twenty years ago. I had found an inferior copy twenty-two years before that. At that time, I noted Aesopic fables here including "Stone Broth" and "The Mouse and the Oyster."This is a hardbound book (hard cover)James Northcote, R.A
Turbulent entrainment in a shearless mixing layer at the edge of a cloud
No full textThree-dimensional direct numerical simulations which combine the Eulerian description of temperature, vapor content and velocity with a Lagrangian ensemble of cloud water droplets are used to study the turbulent entrainment and subsequent mixing of clear air with a cloudy air filament. The study is conducted in a shearless mixing layer setup which is adjusted to realistic conditions at a cumulus cloud boundary. The magnitude of turbulent velocity fluctuations in- and outside the cloud can be varied independently. We find that the evolution of the cloud water droplet ensemble depends slightly only on the contrast of turbulent velocity fluctuations in- and outside the cloud filament. The buoyancy feedback on the flow via the evaporating droplets causes a transient amplification of all fluctuations before the turbulence eventually decays. We study the evolution of the probability density functions of droplet size as well as of supersaturation, temperature and vorticity at the droplet positions
Flyleaf of The Village Politicians, signed by author and publisher R.A. Parsons, and printed by Guardian Ltd.
No full textNewIntroduction. Flyleaf of the The Village Politicans by R.A. Parsons and printed by Guardian Ltd.DA vol. 15 no.
Non-Linear Time Series Analysis of Deep Groundwater Levels: An application to the Veluwe
No full textThe objective of this study is to improve the simulation of deep groundwater levels by time se- ries models with pre-defined impulse response functions. This is attempted by adding a conceptual non-linear root zone model to simulate the recharge series to the model and by testing the use of a separate response function for the percolation zone. Three root zone models are developed based on two different recharge mechanisms: preferential flow, percolation, and a combination of the two. The performance of these models is compared to a linear model that is commonly used in time se- ries models to simulate the recharge. The approach is applied to groundwater level measurements in the Veluwe, a largely forested area in the Netherlands characterized by thick unsaturated zones. The effect of groundwater extractions and land reclamations is added to the model to further im- prove the simulation of the groundwater levels. The models are tested on three observations wells with increasing thickness of the unsaturated zone, varying from 7 m to 29 m to 49 m. The results show that model performance is improved by the implementation of a non-linear root zone model, particularly in simulating the peaks and lows in the groundwater levels. The recharge fluxes simulated by the non-linear models show different patterns that are physically more realistic than those simulated by the linear model. It is shown that different recharge series result in simulated groundwater levels that are very similar. This is a clear example of equifinality and it is recommended to introduce new sources of information to validate the modelled processes (e.g., water content measurements of the percolation zone or actual evaporation data). For the shallow well, the models with a single response function are selected as the best. The largest improvements for the deeper groundwater levels are obtained by the addition of a separate response for the percolation zone. For example, the average deviation from the observed ground- water levels decreased 0.18 m to 0.08 m for the deepest observation well by applying the separate response function. The models with an additional response function were better at simulating the estimated time to peak, the time it takes a recharge pulse to cause a peak in the groundwater levels. The time to peak is introduced in this research as a qualitative indicator to validate the modelled processes. The simulated responses indicate that the groundwater levels respond very quickly to water that leaves the root zone, even though the percolation zone is tens of metres thick. For each of the observations wells it is investigated if adding the effect of groundwater extrac- tions or land reclamations of Flevoland to the models improves the simulation of the groundwater levels. For the shallow well it is concluded that either the effect of land reclamations or groundwater extractions needs to be taken into account. Since these two stresses are correlated, it is concluded that only one of these should be taken into account when no further information is available to con- strain the models. For the medium deep well, the additional stresses did not significantly improve model performance and it is concluded that they do not have to be taken into account for this well. For the deep well, model performance is improved by both stresses. The largest improvements are observed when the effect of groundwater extractions is considered in the model. For implemen- tation of these stresses, the entire simulation period should be used for calibration, or constraints have to be implemented to obtain realistic results.Water ResourcesWater ManagementCivil Engineering and Geoscience
Chemicals from renewable biomass: A renaissance in carbohydrate chemistry
No full textThe conversion of sugars, derived from waste polysaccharide biomass, to commodity chemicals by fermentation or catalytic hydrogenation, oxidation or dehydration or combinations thereof are reviewed.Accepted Author ManuscriptBT/Biocatalysi
Olfactory information use for foraging in "Microplitis mediator", a parasitoid of the cabbage moth "Mamestra brassicae"
No full textMy PhD project was at the interface between behavioural ecology and biological control, two disciplines that do not easily intertwine because of their divergent aims. On one hand, behavioural ecology is a fundamental science that seeks to understand animal behaviour from an evolutionary perspective and generally works from the point of view of the individual. On the other hand, as an applied science, biological control seeks to elaborate concrete strategies to improve pest control and works from population and community perspectives. However, the success of biological control methods depends on the behaviour of biological control agents, i.e. natural enemies of target pests, which creates a perfect opportunity for behavioural ecology and biological control to work hand in hand. In this work, I studied the foraging behaviour of the larval parasitoid Microplitis mediator (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) with the idea that my findings could contribute to the improvement of the control of its host the cabbage moth Mamestra brassicae (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which is an important cabbage pest distributed throughout Europe and Asia. Information about the biology, the life cycle and the rearing method of M. mediator and M. brassicae is reviewed in chapter 1.
In a first study (chapter 2), I tested the olfactory attractiveness of flowers/inflorescences of five wildflowers species (bishop’s weed, cornflower, buckwheat, candytuft, and oregano) to naive female M. mediator. I conducted choice tests in a Y-tube olfactometer to test the olfactory attractiveness of flowers/inflorescences against air and the relative attractiveness of the flower species offered in paired choice. I showed that all the flower species were highly attractive to female M. mediator when tested against air, but that in paired choice tests cornflower and candytuft were as attractive as each other and both more attractive than buckwheat. This indicates that M. mediator is able to use olfactory cues to identify potential food sources and has evolved preferences that could be exploited in biological control. In particular, this study has shown that cornflower is a very promising floral subsidy.
However, in a patchy and unpredictable environment, not all food sources are equally abundant and/or near, and parasitoids are expected to have evolved capacities to detect the most promising food sources in terms of proximity and/or abundance. In a second study (chapter 3), I tested whether female Microplitis mediator foraging for food sources, i.e. flowers of cornflower and inflorescences of buckwheat, were able to use quantitative olfactory information to orient themselves towards the most promising (i.e. most abundant and/or closest) food sources. I conducted behavioural assays in a 6-arm olfactometer where groups of six wasps were released and faced with a gradient of volatile concentration created by using different numbers of flowers/inflorescences as odour sources. I also collected and analyzed the volatiles emitted by different numbers of flowers/inflorescences of the two flower species. The results showed that female M. mediator were able to use quantitative olfactory information. In general, they were most attracted to the highest numbers of flowers/inflorescences, which also emitted the highest volatile quantities. However, the response of the wasps towards the two flower species differed. The contrast between the different numbers of flowers/inflorescences was important for the wasps to be able to discriminate and had to be higher with cornflower than with buckwheat. With cornflower, the flower species emitting both substantially higher absolute volatile quantities and more potentially attractive types of volatile compounds (e.g. benzenoïds), the response of the wasps to single flowers was very strong already and showed saturation with increasing numbers of flowers. Conversely, with buckwheat, the flower species emitting low volatile quantities, the response of the wasps to few inflorescences was weak but accelerated with increasing numbers of inflorescences. This would suggest that a higher sensitivity at low volatile quantities than at high volatile quantities could have been selected in M. mediator, which would be adaptive. These results highlight the importance of taking flower density into account to optimize the use of floral subsidies for biological control purposes. In particular, these results suggest that cornflower should be attractive at low densities whereas higher densities of buckwheat could be needed to attract M. mediator in the field.
To conclude, my work has shown that M. mediator is well adapted for food foraging, because it can detect both the quality and the quantity of olfactory information to localize potentially rewarding food sources. I also demonstrated that studying the foraging behaviour of a parasitoid provides relevant information that can be exploited to improve its use for biological control
KONSEP HARKAT DAN MARTABAT PEREMPUAN DALAM BUKU HABIS GELAP TERBITLAH TERANG KARYA R.A KARTINI DAN RELEVANSINYA TERHADAP PENDIDIKAN ISLAM
No full textThe background of this research originated from the admiration of the author of the book Habis Gelap Terbitlah Terang by R.A. Kartini who has an extraordinary spirit in fighting for the dignity of women. Women who are not valued, are not recognized, and do no have the opportunity to develop themselves during the R.A. Kartini, now has freedom. His dignity and recognition are recognized by the community. But along with the development of the era that was so extraordinary. Book Habis Gelap Terbitlah Terang began to be forgotten by the people. This research included qualitative research and the type of research that the authors do is library research. The research approach used is the historical approach. The method of data collection in this study is adjusted to the type of research conducted, namely the research library, then the right data collection method is the collection and documentation method. Data analysis in this study uses content analysis method. Based on the results of research conducted by the author about the concept of the dignity of women in view of R.A. Kartini can be concluded that the concept of the dignity of women in the view of R.A. Kartini has seven concepts: educated women, virtuous women, skilled women, free women who are civilized and educated, men collaborate with women, women who are knowledgeable about religion, and delete the caste system in society. The seven concepts have a close relationship to Islamic education which is focused on the goal of Islamic education, namely facilitates women to develop themselves, both in the realm of individuals, families, social and in work so that we create human being.Latar belakang penelitian ini berawal dari kekaguman penulis pada buku Habis Gelap Terbitlah Terang karya R.A. Kartini yang memiliki semangat luar biasa dalam memperjuangkan harkat dan martabat perempuan. Perempuan yang tidak dihargai, tidak diakui, dan tidak memiliki kesempatan untuk mengembangkan diri pada masa R.A. Kartini, kini telah memiliki kebebasan. Harkat dan martabatnya terakui oleh masyarakat. Namun seiring perkembangan zaman yang begitu luar biasa. Buku Habis Gelap Terbitlah Terang ini mulai terlupakan oleh masyarakat. Penelitian ini termasuk penelitian kualitatif dan jenis penelitian yang penulis lakukan merupakan penelitian kepustakaan (library research). Pendekatan penelitian yang digunakan yaitu pendekatan sejarah (histori). Metode pengumpulan data dalam penelitian ini disesuaikan dengen jenis penelitian yang dilakukan, yaitu library research maka metode pengumpulan data yang tepat adalah metode pengumpulan dan dokumentasi. Analisis data pada penelitian ini menggunakan metode content analysis. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian yang dilakukan oleh penulis tentang konsep harkat dan martabat perempuan dalam pandangan R.A. Kartini dapat disimpulkan bahwa konsep harkat dan martabat perempuan dalam pandangan R.A. Kartini ada tujuh konsep yaitu: perempuan berpendidikan, perempuan berbudi luhur, perempuan berketerampilan, perempuan bebas yang beradab dan terpelajar, laki-laki bekerjasama dengan perempuan, perempuan yang berpengetahuan ilmu agama, serta menghapus sistem kasta di masyarakat. Ketujuh konsep tersebut memiliki hubungan yang erat terhadap pendidikan Islam yang difokuskan pada tujuan pendidikan Islam yaitu memfasilitasi perempuan untuk mengembangkan diri, baik dalam ranah individu, keluarga, sosial dan dalam berkarya sehingga terciptalah insan kamil
A Review of Some Updates in the 13th Edition of “Sears and Zemansky’s University Physics with Modern Physics” (Authors: Hugh D. Young and Roger A. Freedman; contributing author, A. Lewis Ford; 2012)
No full textYoung, H.D.; and Freedman, R.A.; Ford, A.L. (contributing author). 2012. Sears and Zemansky’s University Physics with Modern Physics. 13th ed.Pearson Education, Inc., Addison-Wesley, San Francisco, CA, USA
Impaired Muscarinic Type 3 (m3) Receptor/pkc And Pka Pathways In Islets From Msg-obese Rats
No full textMonosodium glutamate-obese rats are glucose intolerant and insulin resistant. Their pancreatic islets secrete more insulin at increasing glucose concentrations, despite the possible imbalance in the autonomic nervous system of these rats. Here, we investigate the involvement of the cholinergic/protein kinase (PK)-C and PKA pathways in MSG β-cell function. Male newborn Wistar rats received a subcutaneous injection of MSG (4 g/kg body weight (BW)) or hyperosmotic saline solution during the first 5 days of life. At 90 days of life, plasma parameters, islet static insulin secretion and protein expression were analyzed. Monosodium glutamate rats presented lower body weight and decreased nasoanal length, but had higher body fat depots, glucose intolerance, hyperinsulinemia and hypertrigliceridemia. Their pancreatic islets secreted more insulin in the presence of increasing glucose concentrations with no modifications in the islet-protein content of the glucose-sensing proteins: the glucose transporter (GLUT)-2 and glycokinase. However, MSG islets presented a lower secretory capacity at 40 mM K+ (P < 0.05). The MSG group also released less insulin in response to 100 μM carbachol, 10 μM forskolin and 1 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xantine (P < 0.05, P < 0.0001 and P < 0.01). These effects may be associated with a the decrease of 46 % in the acetylcholine muscarinic type 3 (M3) receptor, and a reduction of 64 % in PKCα and 36 % in PKAα protein expressions in MSG islets. Our data suggest that MSG islets, whilst showing a compensatory increase in glucose-induced insulin release, demonstrate decreased islet M3/PKC and adenylate cyclase/PKA activation, possibly predisposing these prediabetic rodents to the early development of β-cell dysfunction. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.40745214528Tengholm, A., Gylfe, E., Oscillatory control of insulin secretion (2009) Mol Cell Endocrinol, 297 (1-2), pp. 58-72. , 18706473 10.1016/j.mce.2008.07.009 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhsFajt7rNCnop, M., Welsh, N., Jonas, J.C., Jorns, A., Lenzen, S., Eizirik, D.L., Mechanisms of pancreatic beta-cell death in type 1 and type 2 diabetes: Many differences, few similarities (2005) Diabetes, 54 (SUPPL. 2), pp. 97-S107. , 16306347 10.2337/diabetes.54.suppl-2.S97 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXht12gs7nFRibeiro, R.A., Santos-Silva, J.C., Vettorazzi, J.F., Cotrim, B.B., Mobiolli, D.D., Boschero, A.C., Carneiro, E.M., Taurine supplementation prevents morpho-physiological alterations in high-fat diet mice pancreatic beta-cells (2012) Amino Acids, 43 (4), pp. 1791-1801. , 22418865 10.1007/s00726-012-1263-5 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhtlOls77NAhren, B., Autonomic regulation of islet hormone secretion-implications for health and disease (2000) Diabetologia, 43 (4), pp. 393-410. , 10819232 10.1007/s001250051322 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXit12hsLk%3DOlney, J.W., Sharpe, L.G., Brain lesions in an infant rhesus monkey treated with monsodium glutamate (1969) Science, 166 (3903), pp. 386-388. , 5812037 10.1126/science.166.3903.386 1:CAS:528:DyaE3cXhtFSrtw%3D%3DMaiter, D., Underwood, L.E., Martin, J.B., Koenig, J.I., Neonatal treatment with monosodium glutamate: Effects of prolonged growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone deficiency on pulsatile GH secretion and growth in female rats (1991) Endocrinology, 128 (2), pp. 1100-1106. , 1989848 10.1210/endo-128-2-1100 1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXpvFentg%3D%3DMartins, A.C., Souza, K.L., Shio, M.T., Mathias, P.C., Lelkes, P.I., Garcia, R.M., Adrenal medullary function and expression of catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes in mice with hypothalamic obesity (2004) Life Sci, 74 (26), pp. 3211-3222. , 15094322 10.1016/j.lfs.2003.10.034 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXjt1Sitr0%3DBalbo, S.L., Grassiolli, S., Ribeiro, R.A., Bonfleur, M.L., Gravena, C., Brito Mdo, N., Andreazzi, A.E., Torrezan, R., Fat storage is partially dependent on vagal activity and insulin secretion of hypothalamic obese rat (2007) Endocrine, 31 (2), pp. 142-148. , 17873325 10.1007/s12020-007-0021-z 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXhtVSgtb%2FOLucinei Balbo, S., Gravena, C., Bonfleur, M.L., De Freitas Mathias, P.C., Insulin secretion and acetylcholinesterase activity in monosodium l-glutamate-induced obese mice (2000) Horm Res, 54 (4), pp. 186-191. , 11416236 10.1159/000053257 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3Mzlt1SjtQ%3D%3DBalbo, S.L., Bonfleur, M.L., Carneiro, E.M., Amaral, M.E., Filiputti, E., Mathias, P.C., Parasympathetic activity changes insulin response to glucose and neurotransmitters (2002) Diabetes Metab, 28 (6 PART 2), pp. 13-17. , discussion 13S108-112Nardelli, T.R., Ribeiro, R.A., Balbo, S.L., Vanzela, E.C., Carneiro, E.M., Boschero, A.C., Bonfleur, M.L., Taurine prevents fat deposition and ameliorates plasma lipid profile in monosodium glutamate-obese rats (2011) Amino Acids, 41 (4), pp. 901-908. , 21042817 10.1007/s00726-010-0789-7 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhtFKitLbKPaes, A.M., Carniatto, S.R., Francisco, F.A., Brito, N.A., Mathias, P.C., Acetylcholinesterase activity changes on visceral organs of VMH lesion-induced obese rats (2006) Int J Neurosci, 116 (11), pp. 1295-1302. , 17000530 10.1080/00207450600920910 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XhtFOrsLbIMitrani, P., Srinivasan, M., Dodds, C., Patel, M.S., Autonomic involvement in the permanent metabolic programming of hyperinsulinemia in the high-carbohydrate rat model (2007) Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 292 (5), pp. 1364-E1377. , 17227957 10.1152/ajpendo.00672.2006 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXls1yisL8%3DScomparin, D.X., Gomes, R.M., Grassiolli, S., Rinaldi, W., Martins, A.G., De Oliveira, J.C., Gravena, C., De Freitas Mathias, P.C., Autonomic activity and glycemic homeostasis are maintained by precocious and low intensity training exercises in MSG-programmed obese mice (2009) Endocrine, 36 (3), pp. 510-517. , 19856134 10.1007/s12020-009-9263-2 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhsVaksrbEAndreazzi, A.E., Scomparin, D.X., Mesquita, F.P., Balbo, S.L., Gravena, C., De Oliveira, J.C., Rinaldi, W., Mathias, P.C., Swimming exercise at weaning improves glycemic control and inhibits the onset of monosodium l-glutamate-obesity in mice (2009) J Endocrinol, 201 (3), pp. 351-359. , 19297408 10.1677/JOE-08-0312 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXntFGnsb0%3DBernardis, L.L., Patterson, B.D., Correlation between 'Lee index' and carcass fat content in weanling and adult female rats with hypothalamic lesions (1968) J Endocrinol, 40 (4), pp. 527-528. , 4868415 10.1677/joe.0.0400527 1:STN:280:DyaF1c7ptFWgsg%3D%3DRibeiro, R.A., Vanzela, E.C., Oliveira, C.A., Bonfleur, M.L., Boschero, A.C., Carneiro, E.M., Taurine supplementation: Involvement of cholinergic/phospholipase C and protein kinase A pathways in potentiation of insulin secretion and Ca 2+ handling in mouse pancreatic islets (2010) Br J Nutr, 104 (8), pp. 1148-1155. , 20591207 10.1017/S0007114510001820 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXht1Oms7fPHarms, P.G., Ojeda, S.R., A rapid and simple procedure for chronic cannulation of the rat jugular vein (1974) J Appl Physiol, 36 (3), pp. 391-392. , 4814312 1:STN:280:DyaE2c7gsleltg%3D%3DBergmeyer, H.U., Bernt, E., Determination of glucose with glucose oxidase and peroxidase (1974) Methods of Enzymatic Analysis, pp. 1105-1212. , H.U. 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An international growth strategy for a fast-growing last mile delivery planning company
No full textPlotwise is a tech scale-up that offers continuous planning for last mile delivery. By providing data-driven AI planning software as a service, the company strives to improve the delivery planning process of its customers and thereby allowing them to handle the growth in demand for home delivery. The home delivery market is expanding at an exponential rate. The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the e-commerce market five years ahead, more packages are delivered every day and this volume is rapidly growing. Online shoppers are reshaping the delivery economy from supply- to demand-driven. They expect their deliveries to be free, fast and convenient. At the same time, logistics operators and (online) retailers strive to find the optimal balance between costs, operational efficiency and customer experience. Improving environmental performance is getting increasingly important as well. This puts significant stress on their planning and delivery process. Plotwise seems successful in terms of its product-market fit. Hence, the management team wants to rapidly scale the company through signing new customers in at least four additional European countries between now and 2022. For this reason, the Head of Sales of Plotwise asked the author of this thesis to design a sales strategy that guides the company in entering European countries with its current product. The author created this sales strategy through performing a literature review, an internal analysis, an external analysis and quantitative market research. Strategic design principles complemented these research methodologies. This thesis presents the results of this research. In the literature review, the author discusses theoretic elements of traditional market entry strategy literature. The review synthesises the findings into a model that guided the development of the sales strategy. An internal analysis on Plotwise’s vision, mission, product, business model and culture shows that the company is fit for international expansion. However, the analysis shows that the sales team faces several challenges that possibly slow down this scaling. To tackle the identified challenges, the author presents three sales tools in combination with a roadmap for 2021 and 2022. The expectation is that these tools will improve the lead conversion, thereby increasing the number of signed customers. The author created a market analysis framework to conduct a quantitative market study. The result of this analysis is a list of most attractive countries to enter; the advice is to enter the UK market first, followed by Sweden, Norway and France. This advice deviates from an initial assumption on entry sequence as made by the management team of Plotwise. Additionally, the author advises to focus on logistic service providers (LSP), third party logistics (3PL) companies, electronics e-tailers, brands and (online) grocery stores as first customer segments. Lastly, the author advises Plotwise to position as “future-proof planning partner for delivery service optimisation”. This positioning resonates with online shopper behaviour and differs from the competition. Moreover, it leverages the core competencies of Plotwise.Strategic Product Desig
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