A new technique for on-line and off-line high speed computation

A novel technique for both online and offline computation is presented. With this technique, a reconstruction analysis in elementary particle physics, otherwise prohibitively long, has been accomplished. It will be used online in an upcoming Fermilab experiment to reconstruct more than 100000 events per second and to trigger on the basis of that information. The technique delivers 40 gigaoperations per second, has a bandwidth on the order of gigabytes per second, and has a modest cost. An overview of the program, details of the system, and performance measurements are presented     

The parallel process in psychotherapy supervision.

An introduction to parallel process interventions is provided by a comprehensive review of the theoretical constructs and empirical studies regarding the use of the parallel process in supervision. Although more direct investigations of the parallel process are needed, we conclude that parallel process interventions within the supervisory relationship can be extremely potent and impactful. Recommendations for the facilitative application of the parallel process in the supervision and training of professional psychologists, as well as case examples, are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Radiation chemical reactions of poly-p-chlorphenylmethacrylate by ESCA

Summary ESCA is used to characterize ion beam irradiated P(p-ClPhMA)-samples. The results show a chlorine abstraction. The experimental findings are in accordance with a recently proposed model for a crosslinking mechanism of halogenated aromatic polymers.     

Modeling and compensation of asymmetry in optical recording

Asymmetry, also known as domain bloom, is a systematic imperfection caused by the writing process in optical or magneto-optical recording. At the reading end of the system, asymmetry causes shifts of adjacent signal transitions in opposite directions. We present a simple nonlinear model for the replay signal in the presence of asymmetry. The model is specified by a single parameter, which is proportional to asymmetry, and its accuracy is demonstrated by application to replay signals from digital video disk drives. Based on the proposed model, a maximum-likelihood sequence detector is designed for replay signals with asymmetry. Simple modifications of the proposed detector lead to significant reductions in complexity, while the attainable performance, evaluated both analytically and through error-rate simulations, is superior to that of conventional techniques.     

Regeneration studies on nickel molybdate catalysts used for the upgrading of coal-derived liquids

Nickel molybdate catalysts used in several different upgrading reactions of coal-derived materials from low-rank Australian coals have been regenerated and their activity assessed using a number of physical and chemical techniques. Regeneration of spent coked catalysts for 20 hours in air at 450°C was sufficient to restore chemical hydrogenation activity to catalyst used for pre-asphaltene, asphaltene and oil upgrading, provided poisoning of the catalyst surface by other impurities, principally chlorine-containing molecules, had not occurred.     

Strengthening the Weakest Link in Digital Protection

In our one-semester course at the US Military Academy in New York, we educate roughly 800 undergraduates from nontechnical fields each year on intermediate-level IT skills. We place our students in an isolated virtual-computing environment, give them hands-on experience with a variety of attack vectors that hackers use to exploit vulnerabilities, and provide them with a multidimensional framework for understanding and mitigating risks. As a result of this educational experience, our students are better able to internalize the concepts we teach and end up with an increased realization of the actions required to protect crucial resources.     

A hybrid PC/PLC architecture for manufacturing-system control—theory and implementation

This paper presents a novel and generic PC/PLC-based software/hardware architecture for the control of flexible manufacturing workcells. The proposed implementation methodology is based on the utilization of any one of the available formal discrete-event-system control theories in conjunction with state-of-the-art industrial programmable-logic controllers (PLCs). The methodology has been illustrated to be a viable technique through its actual implementation in our laboratory using a robotic-workcell testbed. The specific control theory used is a combination of Extended Moore Automata and Ramadge-Wonham Automata that has been developed by our research group. The modular control software architecture has been developed for MS-Windows environments (running on one PC interfaced to the PLCs) and allows the use of different formal control theories as well as different commercial PLC hardware. The effective graphical user interface provides a transparent programming environment, where users are not expected to have a full knowledge of the formal control theory used.     

CHARACTERIZATION OF Si_(1-x-y)Ge_xC_y FILMS GROWN BY ION IMPLANTATION AND SUBSEQUENT SOLID PHASE EPITAXY

Si1-x-yGexCy ternary alloy films were grown on monocrystalline silicon substrates by C ion implantation and subsequent solid phase epitaxy (SPE). Two-step anneal-ing technique was employed in the SPE. The structure and electrical properties of the alloy films were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and van der Pauw Hall measurements, respectively. With the optimization of two-step anneal-ing technique for the implanted Si1-x-yGexCy layers, a certain amount of C atoms occupied substitutional sites and no SiC was formed.     

Inductive switching of 4H-SiC gate turn-off thyristors

The high-temperature operation of a silicon carbide gate turn-off thyristor is evaluated for use in inductively loaded switching circuits. Compared to purely resistive load elements, inductive loads subject the switching device to higher internal power dissipation. The ability of silicon carbide components to operate at elevated temperatures and high power dissipations are important factors for their use in future power conversion/control systems. In this work, a maximum current density of 540 A/cm² at 600 V was switched at a frequency of 2 kHz and at several case temperatures up to 150°C. The turn-off and turn-on characteristics of the thyristor are discussed     

Present and preferred housing of one-personhouseholds in the Netherlands, 1998

The number of never-married and divorcedpersons living in one-person households willcontinue to increase strongly. The presenthousing stock shows different housingcharacteristics for highly urbanized and lessurbanized areas. There are differences inowner-occupancy, the share of one-familyhouses, the average number of rooms, and houseprices in the present and the preferreddistribution of these characteristics forone-person households. One-person householdscannot be treated as a single group. Severalgroups must be distinguished, each with its ownpreferences and perspectives. Solutions for thegap between present and preferred housing couldbe found in promoting mobility in the housingmarket and adequate new construction.