Optimal implementations of UPGMA and other common clustering algorithms

In this work we consider hierarchical clustering algorithms, such as UPGMA, which follow the closest-pair joining scheme. We survey optimal O(n²)-time implementations of such algorithms which use a ‘locally closest’ joining scheme, and specify conditions under which this relaxed joining scheme is equivalent to the original one (i.e. ‘globally closest’).     

Dissociations of Personally Significant and Task-Relevant Distractors Inside and Outside the Focus of Attention: A Combined Behavioral and Psychophysiological Study.

Studies of attentional capture by personally significant stimuli have reached inconsistent results, possibly because of improper control of the participants' attention. In the present study, the authors controlled visual attention by using a Stroop-like task. Participants responded to a central color and ignored a word presented either centrally (i.e., at the focus of attention) or peripherally (i.e., outside the focus of attention). Central words led to slower reaction times and larger orienting responses for significant items than for neutral items. These effects largely disappeared when the words appeared in a peripheral location. The peripheral words interfered with performance when they were relevant to task demands. These results indicate that there is a fundamental difference between task-relevant words and personally significant words: The former capture attention even when presented peripherally, whereas the latter do not. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral and Physiological Measures in the Detection of Concealed Information.

The authors examined the incremental validity of the reaction time (RT) measure beyond that of skin conductance response (SCR) in the detection of concealed information. Participants performed a Stroop-like task in which they named the color of critical and neutral words. Results show that the SCR highly differentiated between the relevant and neutral words. However, the RT demonstrated a significant differentiation only when the critical words denoted personally significant items (e.g., one's own name) and not when they denoted crime-relevant items related to a simulated crime. In both cases, combining the 2 measures yielded no advantage over the use of SCR alone. Thus, although behavioral measures may differentiate between relevant and neutral information in some cases, their practical use is questionable. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Study of the ability to field emission from diamond-like carbon layers and carbon nanotubes

The aim of this work was to study the relationship between parameters of the electron field emission and the film deposition method. In this study two methods were applied: classical radio frequency plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (RF PACVD) to produce diamond-like carbon (DLC) layers and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to produce carbon nanotubes (CNT). DLC layers were grown on n-type silicon substrates and CNT were grown on n-type and p-type silicon substrates.Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy were used to investigate the physical and chemical parameters of DLC films after deposition process. The electrical parameters of capacitors with the DLC layer as an insulator were extracted from the capacitance-voltage (C-V) and current-voltage (I-V) characteristics. Measurements of the field emission were performed after characterization of the layer properties.     

Digital signal processing for an open-loop fiber-optic gyroscope

Open-loop fiber-optic gyroscopes (FOG's) are generally less stable than closed-loop FOG's, yet they offer simpler implementation. We propose a modification of the harmonic division algorithm for an open-loop FOG, which is more stable and also simpler for implementation than the original one. It is shown that when the analog signal is properly sampled and quantized, the performance of our algorithm reaches that of closed-loop FOG's. Our algorithm may be implemented by the use of off-the-shelf component, and does not require an integrated optics circuit.     

Long-term in vivo left ventricular assist device study with a titanium centrifugal pump

A totally implantable centrifugal artificial heart has been developed. The plastic prototype, Gyro PI 601, passed 2 day hemodynamic tests as a functional total artificial heart, 2 week screening tests for antithrombogenicity, and 1 month system feasibility. Based on these results, a metallic prototype, Gyro PI 702, was subjected to in vivo left ventricular assist device (LVAD) studies. The pump system employed the Gyro PI 702, which has the same inner dimensions and the same characteristics as the Gyro PI 601, including an eccentric inlet port, a double pivot bearing system, and a magnet coupling system. The PI 702 is driven with the Vienna DC brushless motor actuator. For the in vivo LVAD study, the pump actuator package was implanted in the preperitoneal space in two calves, from the left ventricular apex to the descending aorta. Case 1 achieved greater than 9 month survival without any complications, at an average flow rate of 6.6 L/min with 10.2 W input power. Case 2 was killed early due to the excessive growth of the calf, which caused functional obstruction of the inlet port. There was no blood clot inside the pump. During these periods, neither case exhibited any physiologic abnormalities. The PI 702 pump gives excellent results as a long-term implantable LVAD.     

KMDL® Eine semiformale Beschreibungssprache zur Modellierung von Wissenskonversionen

KMDL® A semiformal approach to model knowledge conversions Knowledge Management is still assigned to IT departments and therefore strongly driven by technical aspects. The so developed knowledge management applications are seldom integrated into the business processes within the organization. Therefore these knowledge management systems are rarely accepted permanently. The presented method for modeling and analyzing of knowledge intensive processes allows to identify the creation and use of knowledge within the business process and therefore allows to deduce suggestions for improvement. Thereby it becomes possible to integrate the knowledge of the employees into the value chain and achieve competitive advantage.     

Correlation between domain wall properties and material parameters in amorphous SmCo-films

Amorphous Sm1-xcox-films with uniaxial in-plane anisotropy with various Co-concentrationsx (.67 leq x leq .91)and various film thicknesses d (10nm leq d leq 350nm) have been prepared by flash-evaporation of SmCo-alloy powders. The saturation magnetization decreases linearly with x in the whole concentration range, whereas the coercive field increases linearly with x down toxapprox74and then decreases. Drastic changes in all magnetic properties occur when at a given chemical composition the film thickness is reduced belowdapprox50nm. Head-on domains are separated by zig-zag walls whose amplitudes are analyzed as a function of the material parameters.