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A promising approach for addressing sustainability problems is to recognize the unique conditions of a particular place, such as problem features and solution capabilities, and adopt and adapt solutions developed at other places around the world. Therefore, research and teaching in international networks becomes critical, as it allows for accelerating learning by sharing problem understandings, su

We propose a functional version of the Hodrick–Prescott filter for functional data which take values in an in nite-dimensional separable Hilbert space. We further characterize the associated optimal smooth- ing operator when the associated linear operator is compact and the underlying distribution of the data is Gaussian.

We introduce a model description of femtosecond laser induced desorption at surfaces. The substrate part of the system is taken into account as a (possibly semi-infinite) linear chain. Here, being especially interested in the early stages of dissociation, we consider a finite-size implementation of the model (i.e., a finite substrate), for which an exact numerical solution is possible. By time-evo

Hidden Markov models are often used to model daily returns and to infer the hidden state of financial markets. Previous studies have found that the estimated models change over time, but the implications of the time-varying behavior have not been thoroughly examined. This paper presents an adaptive estimation approach that allows for the parameters of the estimated models to be time varying. It is

We study a version of the functional Hodrick–Prescott filter in the case when the associated operator is not necessarily compact but merely closed and densely de ned with closed range. We show that the associated optimal smoothing operator preserves the structure obtained in the compact case when the underlying distribution of the data is Gaussian.

We consider a large class of operator means and prove that a number of ergodic theorems, as well as growth estimates known for particular cases, continue to hold in the general context under fairly mild regularity conditions. The methods developed in the paper not only yield a new approach based on a general point of view, but also lead to results that are new, even in the context of the classical

Photosensitization, an exaggerated sensitivity to harmless light, occurs genetically in rare diseases, such as porphyrias, and in photodynamic therapy where short-term toxicity is intended. A common feature is the experience of pain from bright light. In human subjects, skin exposure to 405 nm light induced moderate pain, which was intensified by pretreatment with aminolevulinic acid. In heterolog

The key steps in cellular signaling and regulatory pathways rely on reversible noncovalent protein-ligand binding, yet the equilibrium parameters for such events remain challenging to characterize and quantify in solution. Here, we demonstrate a microfluidic platform for the detection of protein-ligand interactions with an assay time on the second timescale and without the requirement for immobili

Background: Migraine and Cluster Headache (CH) are two primary headaches with severe disease burden. The disease expression and the mechanisms involved are poorly known. In some attacks of migraine and in most attacks of CH, there is a release of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) originating from parasympathetic cranial ganglia such as the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG). Patients suffering from t

This paper introduces the concept of 'dynamic capability' (DC) in relation to disaster management - in particular to disaster management exercises (DME). Firstly this paper discusses changes and challenges in DME and the concept of dynamic capabilities as one potential approach dealing with the existing challenges in DME. Thereafter it outlines basic contents of developing DC in DME. The paper con

This paper discusses a case study example of testing international disaster response assistance within the European Union during a worst credible flood scenario in the North Sea area. It describes and evaluates the processes of requesting and receiving international assistance and the field operations with responding international teams during an exercise for large scale flooding ('EU FloodEx 2009

Decisions about disaster preparedness are rarely informed by cost-benefit analyses. This paper presents an economic model to address the thorny question, 'how prepared is prepared enough?' Difficulties related to the use of cost-benefit analysis in the field of disaster management concern the tension between the large number of high-probability events that can be handled by a single emergency resp

This research note presents the major findings of the evaluation of a major power outage in the Netherlands in December 2007 concerning citizen preparation and response. Particular attention is paid to people's perception of the event and its handling.

Preparedness is the key to provide an effective response to drowning, whether it is a single person at risk of drowning through unplanned entry into water or a larger number through a disaster such as flooding. Preparedness is achieved by training and exercise. There is increased awareness that water search and rescue response needs to become more effective as worldwide flood risks grow [1]. Teams

1. Opioid- and FMRFamide (FMRFa)-ergic systems are believed to play antagonistic behavioral roles in both higher and lower animals. In our previous experiments on a snail, behavioral choice has been demonstrated to be dependent on a balance between FMRFa and enkephalins [7]. Here, we examined if the disturbance of the balance causes changes in the activity of both systems. Opiate receptor blocker

Three types of tegumental glands of Hutchinsoniella macracantha body, limb, and caudal, are described for the first time. Previously described salivary and cement glands also belong to this category. All have the same fundamental construction. They consist of 1 or 2 secretory cells opening into a short cuticular channel ending in a pore. The channel is Formed by a sheath or canal cell and an inter