A novel approach for modeling deregulated electricity markets

The theoretical framework developed in this study allows development of a model of deregulated electricity markets that explains two familiar empirical findings; the existence of forward premiums and price-cost markups in the spot market. This is a significant contribution because electricity forward premiums have been previously explained exclusively by the assumptions of perfect competition and risk-averse behavior while spot markups are generally the outcome of a body of literature assuming oligopolistic competition. Our theoretical framework indicates that a certain premium for forward contracting is required for efficient allocation of generation capacity. However, due to the uniqueness of electricity and the design of deregulated electricity markets this premium might be substantially higher than its optimal level.     

Arts & Crafts and the Great City: Charles Robert Ashbee in Jerusalem

The aim of the paper is to bring together art and the city by linking town planning and the Arts & Crafts movement. This association is evident in the theoretical writing and professional practice of the architect Charles Robert Ashbee (1863–1942), whose work is characterized by a blend of tradition and innovation. Ashbee, a prominent artist, served as a British town planner in Jerusalem, assisting its first governor, Sir Ronald Storrs, in laying out the city and providing services for its inhabitants. In Jerusalem, Ashbee received his only chance to realize his artistic urban Utopia. The paper discusses Ashbee as a town planner and explores his artistic urban ideal, revealing his comprehensive appreciation of the city and its constituent artistic and social traits, and his combination of the modern requirements of a growing city with traditional artistic ideals. This was the basis of Ashbee’s work in Jerusalem and determined many of its results. In many ways, Ashbee’s ideas still guide the development of Jerusalem to this day, embodying a unique contribution of the Arts & Crafts movement to modern town planning.     

Tinnitus: etiology and management

Tinnitus is the perceived sensation of sound in the absence of acoustic stimulation. Individuals who suffer from it are commonly between the ages of 40 and 80 years. Tinnitus is often classified as objective or subjective, yet the pathophysiologic cause is still unknown. Subjective tinnitus is largely identified with hearing loss. Management of tinnitus is based on an individual approach; there is no single treatment or regimen for it.     

Using metrics to justify investment in IT

A firm grasp of metrics and how to implement them can prove vital to the health of your organization-and your career. To gain support from senior management, you must link technical metrics to business metrics-you must show how increases in productivity and quality translate into a better bottom line. So your business and strategy determine the metrics you track. Select measures that are obtainable and that truly matter to your organization's work. You also must be able to collect or derive the metrics data without undue burden. Remember that it's not the measures themselves that matter, but the decisions that will be based upon them. Measures that are expensive or cumbersome to collect will detract from the measurement program's perceived value. Overly intrusive or complex data collection can turn people off and encourage them to invent numbers. The best measures are those that are a natural outcome of people's work, like the number of batch jobs processed in a day or the amount of downtime a system records     

A comprehensive 2-D inductance modeling approach for VLSI interconnects: frequency-dependent extraction and compact circuit model synthesis

Although three-dimensional (3-D) partial inductance modeling costs have decreased with stable, sparse approximations of the inductance matrix and its inverse, 3-D models are still intractable when applied to full chip timing or crosstalk analysis. The 3-D partial inductance matrix (or its inverse) is too large to be extracted or simulated when power-grid cross-sections are made wide to capture proximity effect and wires are discretized finely to capture skin effect. Fortunately, 3-D inductance models are unnecessary in VLSI interconnect analysis. Because return currents follow interconnect wires, long interconnect wires can be accurately modeled as two-dimensional (2-D) transmission lines and frequency-dependent loop impedances extracted using 2-D methods . Furthermore, this frequency dependence can be approximated with compact circuit models for both uncoupled and coupled lines. Three-dimensional inductance models are only necessary to handle worst case effects such as simultaneous switching in the end regions. This paper begins by explaining and defending the 2-D modeling approach. It then extends the extraction algorithm to efficiently include distant return paths. Finally, a novel synthesis technique is described that approximates the frequency-dependent series impedance of VLSI interconnects with compact circuit models suitable for timing and noise analysis.     

Bi-directional transmission properties of Venetian blinds: experimental assessment compared to ray-tracing calculations

An accurate evaluation of daylight distribution through advanced fenestration systems (complex glazing, solar shading systems) requires the knowledge of their Bidirectional light Transmission (Reflection) Distribution Function BT(R)DF. An innovative equipment for the experimental assessment of these bi-directional functions has been developed, based on a digital imaging detection system. An extensive set of BTDF measurements was performed with this goniophotometer on Venetian blinds presenting curved slats with a mirror coating on the upper side.In this paper, the measured data are compared with ray-tracing results achieved with a virtual copy of the device, that was constructed with a commercial ray-tracing software. The model of the blind was created by implementing the measured reflection properties of the slats coatings in the ray-tracing calculations. These comparisons represent an original and objective validation methodology for detailed bi-directional properties for a complex system; the good agreement between the two methods, yet presenting very different parameters and assessment methodologies, places reliance both on the digital-imaging detection system and calibration, and on the potentiality of a flexible calculation method combining ray-tracing simulations with simple components measurements.     

Reversible ischemia determined by xenon-enhanced CT after 90 minutes of complete basilar artery occlusion

Intraarterial thrombolytic therapy decreases mortality in the treatment of acute basilar artery occlusion. An acute decrease in cerebral blood flow (CBF) (<12 mL/100 g per minute) has been reported to invariably result in infarction. We report a case of acute basilar artery occlusion, recanalized within 90 minutes, with reversal of CBF of less than 6 mL/100 g per minute. After reperfusion, areas with persistent CBF of 6 mL/100 g per minute resulted in infarctions on subsequent CT studies. Parenchymal viability is possible after 90 minutes of posterior CBF of 6 mL/100 g per minute.     

SOFTWARE PROCESS FLIGHT SIMULATION Dynamic Modeling Tools and Metrics

Process flight simulation tools can help managers understand the dynamics of new processes and technologies before they are introduced. This article tells how these exploratory tools can be used for IS project management, simple modeling of the software process, and modeling the dynamics of the IS organization in transition.     

On the FinFET extension implant energy

The need of an ultrashallow junction technology for the extension of p-FinFETs has been investigated by integrated process and device simulations. For devices with 60 nm physical gate length, whose extensions are activated in a low thermal-budget process (spike anneal), it is found that the I/sub off/-I/sub on/ performance is invariant with respect to the extension implant energy. Nevertheless, the short-channel behavior worsens. This can be remedied by adding spacers to both sides of the gate before the extension implant, resulting in virtually identical dc characteristics and speed. Devices with gate lengths of 18 nm and below require dopant activation with negligible diffusion. Under those circumstances the short channel behavior of the FinFET is limited by the lateral straggle of the ion implant. Spacers may remedy what is otherwise poor short channel behavior due to a relatively high energy extension implant. However, this comes at the price of drastically worse drive current at a fixed off-current.     

"Self and object in the postmodern world": Response to Gene Bocknek’s letter.

Responds to Gene Bocknek's comments (see record 2009-17405-001) on the author's original article "Self and object in the postmodern world" (see record 1997-04589-001). While acknowledging Bocknek's comments in regard to his original article, the author maintains the position that he cannot find any disagreement between their viewpoints on the features of ego and the self. However, he does acknowledge that there is real disagreement between them on the subject of the intrapsychic versus interpersonal school or the ongoing discussion as to whether psychotherapy concerns a one-person or a two-person psychology. After restating his position on this matter, the author concludes by extending his appreciation to Bocknek for his comments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)