A method for measuring team skills

A method for identifying and measuring team skills, specifying team training objectives and the objective assessment of team performance is described. First, a theoretical model of team performance is outlined and then a version of Hierarchical Task Analysis specially adapted to analysing team tasks is described. The two are then combined into an event-related measurement scheme, which provides a set of objective criteria by which key team skills can be assessed. The method is illustrated by an example from a basic Anti-Submarine Warfare training exercise which forms part of the Principal Warfare Officer's course at the Royal Naval School of Maritime Operations. The potential of the method is discussed, including the opportunities it may provide for the standardization of team performance assessment and in the use of new technology in the partial automation of shore-based and ship-board team training.     

Synthesis and physical characterization of magnetite nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications in the size range of 15–130 nm were prepared by either oxidative hydrolysis of ferrous sulfate with KOH or precipitation from ferrous/ferric chloride solutions. The magnetite particle size is controlled by variation of pH and temperature. The synthesized magnetite nanoparticles are partially oxidized as signaled by ferrous concentrations of below 24 wt% Fe²⁺ and lattice parameters of a₀ ≤ 8.39 Å which are smaller compared to 8.39 Å for stoichiometric magnetite. The extend of oxidation increases with decreasing particle size. Heating at 150–350 °C topotactically transforms the magnetite nanoparticles into stoichiometric tetragonal maghemite (ferrous ion concentration c_Fe²⁺=0 and a₀ = 8.34 Å) without significant particle growth. The magnetite–maghemite transformation is studied with thermal analysis, XRD and IR spectroscopy. The saturation magnetizations of the magnetite and maghemite particles decrease with decreasing particle size. The variation of M_s with particle size is interpreted using a magnetic core–shell particle model. Magnetite particles with d ≤ 16 nm show superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature whereas particles with diameter >16 nm display hysteresis behavior. These particles are candidates for biomedical applications, e.g. controlled drug release or hyperthermia.     

设计质量及其对设计收敛的影响

在设计早期采取步骤保证质量,可以加快收敛,避免做出失败的硅片。SoC(系统单芯片)设计的成本持续飞涨,市场窗口不断缩减,而设计的复杂性却一直以指数级增长。这些挑战只是SoC设计者要面对的问题之一。为防止出现大的麻烦,设计者必须确保SoC实现设计收敛,包括满足某些重要目标,如性能、功耗与面积。然而,设计收敛的目标通常会互相冲突。设计者必须不断在各个因素之间作出折中,确保设计处于最终用户应用的需求范围内。     

Electrocrystallisation of metallic films under the influence of an external homogeneous magnetic field—Early stages of the layer growth

The effects of a uniform magnetic field on the early stages of Ag, Fe and CoFe alloys electrocrystallisation have been investigated. It was found for Fe and CoFe alloys, irrespective of the applied parameters, that early stages of the layer growth can be characterised by a nucleation and 3D diffusion controlled growth. The influence of the deposition parameters on the nucleation behaviour was studied on the basis of the Sharifker-Mostany (SM) model. A modification to the existing model has been proposed in order to model alloy systems. It is reported that a magnetic field superposed parallel to the electrode surface has a significant influence on the early stages of Fe and CoFe alloys growth. The growth of the nuclei is enhanced by the Lorentz-force-driven convection, while the nucleation processes remain unaffected. The hydrodynamic origin of these phenomena is confirmed by independent rotating disk electrode (RDE) investigations. Moreover, the proposed mechanism of a magnetic field influence on the 3D diffusion controlled growth is supported by a microscopic investigation of Ag deposits. It was found that Ag deposits obtained without a magnetic field superposition are characterised by a relatively large number of small 3D growth centres, whereas the deposits obtained in a field show fewer 3D centres but their size is greatly increased.