In this paper we investigate properties of multicriteria methods that are used for building land-use suitability assessment criteria. We identify and describe fundamental properties that are of interest in the land-use suitability analysis and the design of suitability maps. The existing multicriteria methods can be evaluated from the standpoint of their ability to support the desirable propert...

Silicon carbide mirrors are sought for a variety of aerospace applications. While optical polishing techniques are straight forward for flat and spherical surfaces, material removal rates for this hard, brittle material are too low for affordable processing of conventionally machined, ground, or as-produced surfaces. The problem is more severe for aspheres. This paper reports on the use of pico...

Extensive livestock grazing even in unsuitable land has increasingly grown in most parts of semi-arid rangeland. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to identify suitable land for livestock grazing for optimum utilization while causing minimum impact to the environment. This paper adapted the schematic model based on the concepts presented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of suitabi...

Laser-plasma-based accelerators can provide electrons over a broad energy range and/or with large momentum spread. The electron beam energy distribution can be controlled via accurate control of laser and plasma properties, and beams with energies ranging from approximately 0.5 to 1000 MeV have been observed. Measuring these energy distributions in a single shot requires the use of a diagnostic...

β-glucuronidase (GUS) is a useful reporter for the evaluation of promoter characteristics in transgenic plants. Here, we introduce an original technique to quantify the strength of promoters at subtissue resolution of cell clusters. The method combines cryotomy, laser microdissection, and improved fluorometric analysis of GUS activity using 6-chloro-4-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-glucuronide as an ef...

The popular skin classifications, notably the 'Fitzpatrick' and 'Obaji' classifications, are primarily based on skin colour. Other criteria are occasionally considered, such as the degree of skin oiliness, thickness, sensibility, etc. Although these classifications are easy to understand and apply, their simplicity limits their precision, sophistication and applicability.The new genetico-racial...

Four environmentally-relevant and contaminant-degrading enrichment cultures (KB-1, ACT 3, T3L, and ORCH4) from the Edward’s Laboratory at the University of Toronto were studied via traditional microscopy, laser scanning confocal microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Also, general bacteria and archaea probes were tested for all these cultures to determine their suitability for continuous...

An ammonia traces analyser based on photoacoustic spectroscopy is described. The system uses a CO(2) laser and a properly designed resonant photoacoustic cell to achieve ammonia detection at sub-parts-per-billion (ppb) level. The instrument features unattended automatic on-line monitoring of ammonia with a detection limit of 0.1 ppb. Interferences from atmospheric CO(2) and H(2)O are efficientl...