Chromium-doped forsterite: the influence of crystal characteristics on laser performance

A study of the dependence of the gain-switched laser operation of chromium forsterite on crystal parameters is presented. Results are reported for a wide range of chromium (IV) ion concentration: 0.02-0.12 at. % and 12-41 figure of merit, with emphasis on performance of the recently developed material with a dopant level of >0.10 at. %. Threshold and slope efficiency calculations are compared with measured performance for all crystals, with variation of pump polarization and output coupling. With 3% output coupling, the lowest threshold of 1.8 mJ, and highest slope efficiency of 13% were measured for a short, high-dopant-level crystal. With 33% output coupling a slope efficiency of 44% was measured for this crystal. Results demonstrate the considerable potential of short, high-dopant-level crystals for applications such as amplification, diode pumping, and narrow-bandwidth operation.     

Do cardiovascular risk factors explain the relation between socioeconomic status, risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and acute myocardial infarction?

Much remains to be understood about how low socioeconomic status (SES) increases cardiovascular disease and mortality risk. Data from the Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study (1984-1993) were used to estimate the associations between acute myocardial infarction and income, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular mortality in a population-based sample of 2,272 Finnish men, with adjustment for 23 biologic, behavioral, psychologic, and social risk factors. Compared with the highest income quintile, those in the bottom quintile had age-adjusted relative hazards of 3.14 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.77-5.56), 2.66 (95% CI 1.25-5.66), and 4.34 (95% CI 1.95-9.66) for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and AMI, respectively. After adjustment for risk factors, the relative hazards for the same comparisons were 1.32 (95% CI 0.70-2.49), 0.70 (95% CI 0.29-1.69), and 2.83 (95% CI 1.14-7.00). In the lowest income quintile, adjustment for risk factors reduced the excess relative risk of all-cause mortality by 85%, that of cardiovascular mortality by 118%, and that of acute myocardial infarction by 45%. These data show how the association between SES and cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality is mediated by known risk factor pathways, but full "explanations" for these associations will need to encompass why these biologic, behavioral, psychologic, and social risk factors are differentially distributed by SES.     

随机采样的2DPCA人脸识别方法

在2DPCA的基础上提出一种随机采样的2DPCA人脸识别方法--RRS-2DPCA.同传统通过对特征或投影向量进行采样的方法不同的是,RRS-2DPCA(Row Random Sampling 2DPCA)将随机采样建立于图像的行向量集中,然后在行向量子集中执行2DPCA.在ORL、Yale和AR人脸数据集上进行实验,结果表明RRS-2DPCA不仅具很好的识别性能和运算效率,而且对参数具有很大的稳定性.另外针对2DPCA和RRS-2DPCA对光线、遮挡等不鲁棒问题,进一步提出了局部区域随机采样的2DPCA方法LRRS-2DPCA(Local Row Random Sampling 2DPCA),将RRS-2DPCA执行在人脸图像的局部区域中.实验结果表明LRRS-2DPCA不仅具有较好的鲁棒性更大大的提高了RRS-2DPCA的识别性能.     

Developing a framework for analyzing IS sourcing

This paper develops a framework for the consideration of internal markets as an alternative to information systems (IS) outsourcing. It is based on an assessment of the pros and cons of both outsourcing and of insourcing based on the internal markets approach. It is formulated in terms of the operational, tactical, and strategic impacts of the choice among the alternatives. The framework, and the propositions that are developed from it, should be useful both for researchers, who can use it for developing testable research hypotheses, and for practitioners, who may use it as a basis for developing a comprehensive set of criteria for the evaluation of these sourcing options.     

Exploiting Network Locality for CC-NUMA Multiprocessors

The Journal of Supercomputing - Rapid advances in interconnection networks in multiprocessors are closing the gap between computation and communication. Given this trend, how can we utilize fast...     

Shape optimization using adaptive high-order finite elements

In recent years, the state of the art in shape optimization has advanced due to new approaches proposed by various researchers. A fundamental difficulty in shape optimization is that the original finite element mesh may become invalid during large shape changes. Automatic remeshing and velocity field approaches are most commonly used for conventionalh-type finite element analysis to address this problem.In this paper, we describe a different approach to shape optimization based on the use of high-orderp-type finite elements tightly coupled to a parameterized computational geometry module. The advantages of this approach are as follows.Accurate results can be obtained with much fewer finite elements, so large shape changes are possible without remeshing.Automatic adaptive analysis may be performed so that accurate results are achieved at each step of the optimization process.Since the elements derive their geometric mapping from the underlying geometry, the fundamental equivalent of velocity field element shape updating may be readily achieved.Results are presented for sizing and shape optimization with this approach and contrasted with previous results from the literature.     

Species identification of cooked meats by enzyme-staining of isoelectricfocusing gels

By extracting cooked meat products with 6 m guanidine hydrochloride and then dialysing the extract into 1 % Triton X-100, the activity of adenylate kinase (AK) and creatine kinase (CK) may be at least partly recovered, provided the meat was not heated above ≈120°C (AK) or ≈105°C (CK). A wide range of animal species may be identified in cooked meats by staining isoelectricfocusing gels for these two enzymes. However, if a sample consists of mixed flesh from different species, hybrid creatine kinase dimers form during dialysis and the additional bands complicate interpretation of gel patterns.     

Calculation of the wetted area of a planing hull with a chine

Summary The extent to which a low-aspect-ratio flat ship with a chined hull is wetted when planing at infinite Froude number is investigated. A numerical method of solution for the wetted area, which is applicable to more general planing problems, is presented. The results obtained by this method are compared with those found by solving the inverse problem of determining the hull shape which produces a given waterplane shape and are shown to be in excellent agreement. Results are also presented which indicate that a vertical chine may be used to fix the shape of the wetted region.     

The rate of movement of the topochemical interface during gas-solid reactions

The rate of recession of the topochemical interface between a porous core and the product layer is shown to be given by wherer _c is radial position of the interface,R(r_c) the rate of the chemical reaction at the interface and (dC _s/dr)|_{r s} is the gradient of concentration profile of solid reactant in the porous core at the interface. The integration of the above equation can sometimes be achieved analytically but can always be done numerically for even highly complex reaction mechanisms. The equation correctly reduces to previously known solutions when the inner core is impervious to gas diffusion. The utility of the equation is demonstrated by applying it to the industrially important multistage reduction process Mn₃O₄ → MnO — > Mn. The predictions from the theoretical model are compared successfully with experimental data for this reaction. Formerly Student in Department of Metallurgy, University of Strathclyde, Scotland.