Lenghu on the Tibetan Plateau as an astronomical observing site

On Earth’s surface, there are only a handful of high-quality astronomical sites that meet the requirements for very large next-generation facilities. In the context of scientific opportunities in time-domain astronomy, a good site on the Tibetan Plateau will bridge the longitudinal gap between the known best sites1,2 (all in the Western Hemisphere). The Tibetan Plateau is the highest plateau on Earth, with an average elevation of over 4,000 metres, and thus potentially provides very good opportunities for astronomy and particle astrophysics3–5. Here we report the results of three years of monitoring of testing an area at a local summit on Saishiteng Mountain near Lenghu Town in Qinghai Province. The altitudes of the potential locations are between 4,200 and 4,500 metres. An area of over 100,000 square kilometres surrounding Lenghu Town has a lower altitude of below 3,000 metres, with an extremely arid climate and unusually clear local sky (day and night)6. Of the nights at the site, 70 per cent have clear, photometric conditions, with a median seeing of 0.75 arcseconds. The median night temperature variation is only 2.4 degrees Celsius, indicating very stable local surface air. The precipitable water vapour is lower than 2 millimetres for 55 per cent of the night.

Gmelina arborea (candahar).

G. arborea produces an important and valuable creamy-white timber which is sometimes called white teak. It is a fast-growing species that demands good site conditions (Durant, 1941; Fox, 1967; Nanagas and Serna, 1970; Fasehun, 1975; Greaves, 1981; Webb et al., 1984; Luna, 1996). Native to Asia, the species has great plantation potential and is widely planted, especially in Africa. Large-scale plantations of G. arborea are found in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Malawi (Streets, 1962). Compared with other high-quality timber species, G. arborea can be managed for relatively short rotations of 15 to 20 years (Fox, 1967). With recent developments in wood processing technology for utilizing smaller diameter logs, G. arborea plantations are often managed on a less than 15-year rotation; this is especially the case when fuelwood is the main end-product. G. arborea is also valuable as a multipurpose tree (Tiwari et al, 2007) and is economically important in various agroforestry systems. Different parts of the tree are used in traditional medicine (Nayak et al., 2011).

KEPUASAN KONSUMEN DI INDUSTRI SUVENIR DALAM PERSPEKTIF E-COMMERCE DAN KUALITAS LAYANAN

This research was conducted on XYZ Souvenir consumers. The purpose of this research is to determine how much the contribution of the use of E-commerce and Service Quality affects customer satisfaction both partially and simultaneously on XYZ Souvenir. The research method that will be used in this research is the verification method. In this research, the unit of analysis is individuals, namely XYZ Souvenir consumers. The sample in this study was 134 respondents. Systematic random sampling is a sampling withdrawal technique used in this study. The analysis method uses path analysis, while also testing the validity and reliability of the research instrument. Based on the results of the study indicate that there is an effect both partially and simultaneously on exogenous variables (E-commerce and Service Quality) on endogenous variables (customer satisfaction). The implication of this research that XYZ Souvenir can make various improvements a good site design (such as information on goods/services that are complete and clear, there are promotions such as giving discounts, and special offers, accepting proposals from consumers payment features used, making online promotions) and adding product variations.

Advances in the catalyst- and reagent-controlled site-divergent intermolecular functionalization of C(sp3)–H bonds

Intermolecular C(sp3)–H bond functionalization reactions promise to revolutionize how we synthesize organic molecules by enabling the introduction of functionality at previously inert sites. However, one of the greatest challenges in this research field is site-selectivity, wherein chosen C(sp3)–H bonds must be selectively functionalized and other C(sp3)–H bonds with similar stereoelectronic properties must remain intact. To address this problem, chemists have developed methods that rely on targeting innately more reactive C(sp3)–H bonds or on using pre-installed functional groups to direct a catalyst or reagent to a particular C(sp3)–H bond. However, such approaches invariably have limited applicability because only a handful of innately reactive C(sp3)–H bonds or those nearby certain functional groups can be functionalized with good site-selectivity. To overcome these limitations, chemists also have developed catalysts and reagents that control the site of C(sp3)–H bond functionalization and have begun to unlock the potential of these reactions to achieve the site-divergent functionalization of C(sp3)–H bonds, wherein the site of functionalization is changed by modulating the stereoelectronic properties of the catalyst or reagent. This short review will provide a summary of selected examples of catalyst- and reagent-controlled site-divergent intermolecular functionalization of C(sp3)–H bonds, the factors responsible for modulating the site selectivity of these reactions, and will identify potential areas worthy of future research in this field.

Singapore as non-place: National cinema through the lens of temporal heterogeneity

This article suggests that Singapore and Singapore cinema serve as a good site to return to debates surrounding the national. First, I investigate the disconnect between the present and the past in contemporary Singapore and argue that contemporary Singapore cinema is microcosmic of the nation’s uncomfortable relationship with the past. Drawing from Marc Augé’s work in order to understand this temporal disconnect, I propose to think of the nation as a non-place, where the nation is thought of as a liminal entity. Ultimately, I call for a reconsideration of Singapore cinema through the lens of temporal heterogeneity, suggesting that the notion of the nation as a non-place allows us to not only understand the evolving present of the nation(al) but also cinema’s role in helping access the past.

Assessing solar resource and photovoltaic production in Tahiti from ground-based measurements

This study focuses on the solar resource available at Faaa, Tahiti (17.5°S, 149.5°W) thanks to 10 year-long solar irradiance time series. Faaa’s global horizontal irradiance ranges from 14 MJ.m-2.day-1 (June) to 21 MJ.m-2.day-1 (November) in agreement with the sun’s annual path, while clearness index ranges from 0.5 (January) to 0.67 (July), in agreement with the wet and dry seasons. The Global Solar Atlas satellite-derived dataset shows acceptable relative error when compared to Faaa in situ measurements. This product could then be used for other coastal areas of Tahiti. The annual energy output of a single PV module is 256.7 kWh, which corresponds to 7 % of the annual consumption of a typical household in Tahiti. The capacity factor reaches 22.5 %, which makes Faaa a good site for harnessing solar resource.

Morphometric Analysis of Lateral Masses of Axis Vertebrae in North Indians

Background and Objective. The lateral masses of axis have good cancellous bone quality beneath the articular surface of facets that make this area a good site for the insertion of an internal fixation device. Methods. 60 dry axis vertebrae were obtained for anatomic evaluation focused on pedicle, superior and inferior articular facets, and foramen transversarium. Based upon linear and angular parameters the mean, range, and standard deviation were calculated. Results. The mean length, width, and height of the pedicle were 21.61 ± 2.37 mm, 8.82 ± 2.43 mm, and 5.63 ± 2.06 mm. The mean pedicle superior angle and median angle were 23.3 and 32.2 degrees. The mean superior articular facet length, width, and external and internal height were 16.34 ± 1.56 mm, 14.35 ± 1.75 mm, 8.98 ± 1.36 mm, and 4.23 ± 0.81 mm. Depth of vertebral artery was 4.72 ± 0.83 mm. Mean inferior articular facet length and width were 11.13 ± 1.43 mm and 7.89 ± 1.30 mm. The mean foramen transversarium length and width were 5.11 ± 0.91 mm and 5.06 ± 1.23 mm. Conclusions. The study may provide information for the surgeons to determine the safe site of entry and trajectory for the screw implantation and also to avoid injuries to vital structures while operating around axis.

Synthesis of functionalized para- and meta-terphenyls based on site-selective Suzuki cross-coupling reactions of bis(triflates) of methyl 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate and methyl 2,4-dihydroxybenzoate

The palladium(0)-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reaction of the bis(triflates) of methyl 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate and methyl 2,4-dihydroxybenzoate afforded para- and meta-terphenyls, respectively. The reactions proceeded with very good site selectivity in favor of the sterically less hindered carbon atom.