Contribution of the Zubair source rocks to the generation and expulsion of oil to the reservoirs of the Mesopotamian Basin,Southern Iraq

The huge quantities of oil and gas reserved in the fields of southern Iraq must be matched by enough source rocks that can generate and expel equivalent amounts of hydrocarbons. This study is an attempt to evaluate the potential and efficiency of the Zubair Formation strata as potential source rocks that contributed to the hydrocarbon budget. A Multiproxy investigation including TOC, pyrolysis, palynofacies, carbon isotope and biomarker analysis were used to investigate such possibility. Results indicate that Zubair rocks were ranging from poor to excellent source rocks, early to moderate maturity, and generated and expelled much hydrocarbons to the Cretaceous reservoirs of the Basin.     

Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with monolithically integrated horizontal waveguides

We present the development of novel 980-nm Ga/sub 0.8/In/sub 0.2/As-GaAs vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) with an internal waveguide structure. The monolithic integration of a horizontal waveguide in the top distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) creates the potential for achieving VCSEL-based photonic integrated circuits. In this work, an AlGaAs-GaAs-AlGaAs waveguide designed for horizontal propagation of light was monolithically integrated as part of the upper GaAs-AlGaAs DBR of the device. VCSELs with 9-/spl mu/m apertures emitted 3-mW single-mode power with both longitudinal and lateral mode suppression ratio of 40 dB under room-temperature continuous-wave operation.     

The effects of development process modeling and task uncertainty on development quality performance

We examine the impact of development process modeling on outcomes in software development projects, limiting our attention to process and product quality. Modeling the software development process requires a careful determination of tasks and their logical relationships. Essentially, the modeling is undertaken to establish a management framework of the project. We define and interrelate development process modeling, task uncertainty, and development outcomes, as assessed by product and process quality. A survey-based research design was used to collect data to prove our model. The results suggest that development process modeling is positively related to both product and process quality, while task uncertainty is negatively related to them. Development process modeling reduces the negative impact of task uncertainty on quality-oriented development outcomes. Development projects operating with high levels of task uncertainty should consider defining development process models that provide a framework for management of the project by establishing tasks and their logical interrelationships. Such a model should promote shared understanding of the work process among development constituents and enhance resource utilization efficiency.     

VCSELs with monolithic coupling to internal horizontal waveguides using integrated diffraction gratings

A VCSEL structure with output coupling to an internal waveguide using integrated diffraction gratings has been demonstrated. The design and fabrication of the monolithically integrated structure, including epitaxial regrowth, is discussed and initial device characteristics are presented. While horizontal waveguides can be used to route optical signals between monolithically integrated components, a small amount of transmission is retained in the top DBR to enable on-wafer testing. This monolithic structure has the potential to enable VCSEL-based photonic integrated circuits on GaAs.     

Two-dimensional 8×8 photoreceiver array and VCSEL drivers forhigh-throughput optical data links

Two custom GaAs integrated circuits (ICs) have been developed for enabling vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays to be used for high throughput spatial division multiplexed (SDM) optical data links. A 16-channel driver IC was developed to drive the VCSEL array and an 8×8 monolithic photoreceiver, which spatially matches the VCSEL array, was developed for receive. Both of these circuits were fabricated in a standard commercial GaAs MESFET process with parasitic photodetectors used for the photoreceivers. Power dissipation and circuit size were primary design challenges for both circuits. The present 8×8 array size along with an estimated usable channel speed of 1 Gb/s allows for an aggregate throughput of 64 Gb/s     

Social skill training in an integrated preschool program.

This study examined the effectiveness of a commercially available social skills training program plus classroom reinforcement for use with preschoolers with developmental delays. Two groups of 19 participants (mean age 49.73–52.9 mo old) each received either the combined treatment package or classroom reinforcement of target behaviors only. An additional 20 participants served as a control group. The combination of social skills training plus classroom reinforcement of target behaviors resulted in statistically significant increases in sharing behavior over those obtained by both control participants and participants receiving reinforcement of classroom behavior alone. Group behavior was increased over that shown by control participants through the use of either the social skills plus classroom reinforcement treatment package or classroom reinforcement alone. Social skills interventions were viewed favorably by both classroom teachers and preschool participants. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)