UN 2006 Climate Change Conference: a confidence building step?

An analysis of the UN 2006 COP.

The exponentiated convex variable step-size (ECVSS) algorithm

For some time there is a large interest in variable step-size methods for adaptive filtering. Recently, a few stochastic gradient algorithms have been proposed, which are based on cost functions that have exponential dependence on the chosen error. However, we have experienced that the cost function based on exponential of the squared error does not always satisfactorily converge. In this paper we modify this cost function in order to improve the convergence of exponentiated cost function and the novel ECVSS (exponentiated convex variable step-size) stochastic gradient algorithm is obtained. The proposed technique has attractive properties in both stationary and abrupt-change situations. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical etching of optical fibre tips - experiment and model

The formation of chemically etched fibre tips for use in optical scanning probe microscopy is addressed. For tips formed at a cleaved fibre end in the bulk of a buffered HF acid solution the morphological features (tip height, cone angle) are found to depend strongly on the temperature and etchant composition. The tip formation process is analysed and explained in terms of a simple model in which the only pertinent physical parameters are the fibre core diameter and etch rates of the fibre core and cladding. The etch rates are determined in separate experiments as a function of temperature (in the range 24-50 degreesC) for etchant solutions of de ionised water: 50% HF acid: 40% NH4F in the volume ratio 1 : 1 : X for X=2, 4 and 6, and used in the model to yield a correct description of the experimental tip cone angles. The model is successfully extended to the intriguing case of negative tip formation which initiates in a normal, positive tip structure. By contrast, tip formation in the meniscus region of a bare fibre/etchant/organic solvent system is found to be independent of etchant composition and temperature. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Taking the Next Step? Achieving another Bill of Rights

The aim of this article is to explore the recent Bill of Rights debate in the UK. This is deliberately located in the UK’s complex ‘national question’ because of the obsessive focus on achieving a proper grounding for human rights. A new form of national human rights protectionism appears to be emerging and merits careful consideration. The article suggests that it is better to acknowledge and accept the existence of a plurality of nationalisms in the UK in these discussions and understand how an essentially ‘British nationalist’ discourse sounds and works in that overall context. The concern is that the Bill of Rights debate is becoming an inadequate surrogate for the more challenging constitutional conversations that are required, and human rights discourse thus invested with expectations of national renewal that it can never meet and does not have the internal resources to resolve. If the process does go forward it may be better to prepare the ground for a deeper and wider constitutional dialogue across these islands than stumble clumsily and divisively into this territory simply via ‘another’ UK Bill of Rights.

A one pot three-step process for the synthesis of an array of arylated benzimidazoribosyl nucleosides

A three-step one pot reaction/purification protocol was developed to facilitate rapid access to benzimidazole-based nucleosides, for which benzoylated benzimidazoribosyl nucleosides incorporating boronic esters were key reaction intermediates.

Development of a minor groove binder assay for real-time one-step RT-PCR detection of swine vesicular disease virus

The design and development of a 5' conjugated minor groove binder (MGB) probe real-time RT-PCR assay are described for rapid, sensitive and specific detection of swine vesicular disease virus (SVDV) RNA. The assay is designed to target the 2C gene of the SVDV genome and is capable of detecting 2 x 10(2) copies of an RNA standard per reaction. It does not detect any of the other RNA viruses that cause vesicular disease in pigs, or the human enterovirus, Coxsackie B5 virus (CVB5) which is closely related antigenically to SVDV. The linear range of this test was from 2 x 10(2) to 2 x 10(8) copies/mu l. The assay is rapid and can detect SVDV RNA in just over 3.5 h including the time required for nucleic acid extraction. The development of this assay provides a useful tool for the differential diagnosis of SVD or for the detection of SVDV in research applications. This study demonstrates the suitability of MGB probes as a real-time PCR chemistry for the diagnosis of swine vesicular disease. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.