Analysis of finite element methods for the Brinkman problem

The parameter dependent Brinkman problem, covering a field of problems from the Darcy equations to the Stokes problem, is studied. A mathematical framework is introduced for analyzing the problem. Using this uniform a priori and a posteriori estimates for two families of finite element methods are proved. Nitsche’s method for imposing boundary conditions is discussed.     

On the FEM treatment of wedge singularities in waveguide problems

This paper introduces a novel extension to a scalar two-dimensional polynomial finite-element basis to better cope with wedge singularities in waveguide problems. An error estimate for the computed cutoff frequencies of the waveguide shows that the relative H ¹ error of the modal solution is critical. We demonstrate that the present extension significantly improves the approximation properties of a polynomial basis, especially in the H¹ norm. Numerical examples show that the present extension compares well with other recent techniques. Combining variable order elements with singular basis extension provides further significant reduction of the computational burden     

60GHz single-chip CMOS digital radios and phased array solutions for gaming and connectivity

In this paper, we present four examples of highly integrated 60 GHz single-chip CMOS 90 nm digital radios and phased array solutions. These solutions include for the first time digital-to-analog/analog-to-digital conversion and embedded multi-gigabit mixed signal modem requiring no external processing. This convergence of 60 GHz CMOS digital radio, low power multi-gigabit mixed-signal processing and digital signal processing on a single chip offers the lowest energy per bit transmitted wirelessly at multi-gigabit rate to meet the very stringent low-power specifications for battery operated consumer electronic portable devices. Layout and temperature dependent 60 GHz CMOS 90 nm model development and critical high performance analog and mixed building blocks are presented as fundamental enablers for single chip integration. The designs have been optimized for robustness against process variation and temperature, and verified by measurement results.     

Visual functions of drivers involved in traffic accidents

Eye functions were studied in 56 drivers who had recently been involved in traffic accidents. There were 17 women and 39 men in the study group, aged 20-87 years. The traffic accidents had happened in intersections and city streets, in parking places and on highways. In seven drivers, a visual impairment was found: two drivers had strabismus and low visual acuities in one or both eyes, two had considerable hyperphoria, and three had a deutan color vision defect. However, comparing the type of accident to the defective eye functions showed no probable correlation.     

The clinical outcome in pregnancies of grand grand multiparous women

Recent public health concern about the Jacob-Creutzfeld disease related to administration of growth hormone in children or the "mad cow" disease in cattle fed contaminated products requires a review of the association between Jacob-Creutzfeldt disease and pregnancy. Four cases of this transmissible spongiform encephalopathy have been described in pregnant women and none of the offspring, currently 22, 10, 7 and 3 years of age, have developed the disease. Vertical transmission of Jacob-Creutzfeldt disease cannot however be excluded as it occurs in animals and since injections of cord blood and placenta extracts of women with this disease into mice brains has proven the presence of the infectious agent. The rarity of Jacob-Creutzfeldt disease in women of reproductive age and the particularly long incubation period of this type of encephalopathy would incite prudence and long-term follow-up to determine outcome in children born from disease women or who developed signs of the disease during the years following delivery.     

A software platform for process monitoring: Applications to water treatment

Effective online monitoring of the performance of water treatment is critical. Industrial wastewater treatment, for example, has to confront important challenges concerning both cost management of treatment plants and fulfillment of regulations. Moreover, when drinking water is produced, water safety is an important consideration, and possible changes in water quality should be detected as soon as possible. On the other hand, the large amount of measurement data available creates its own challenges for water treatment processes, which means that advanced tools for monitoring, analysis, and control are often required. Therefore, it would be useful to have a monitoring system which is able to handle all available measurements and present the available information in a simple, user-friendly and flexible manner. In this paper, we introduce a piece of software which can be utilized in the monitoring of water treatment processes. The structure of the software is designed so that it can be easily modified according to the user’s needs. The system is demonstrated using process measurements from an activated sludge treatment plant, which is part of a pulp and paper plant, and from a pilot treatment plant for producing drinking water.     

An accurate 2-D hard-source model for FDTD

This letter describes an accurate two-dimensional (2-D) hard-source model for finite-difference time-domain (FDTD). The proposed model allows accurate control over the effective radius of a 2-D hard source. In addition, the TM version of the source model is directly applicable as a very accurate 2-D thin-wire model. The proposed model is verified in 2-D for both TM and TE case using a recently introduced method for finding the effective radius of a filamentary 2-D hard source     

American Indian perspectives on the career journey.

This exploratory qualitative study was conducted to examine the meaning of career and related concepts for adult American Indians. Eighteen Northern Plains American Indians were interviewed, and the resulting data were analyzed using consensual qualitative research strategies (C. E. Hill, B. J. Thompson, and E. N. Williams, 1997). Five major topic areas emerged from the data: the meaning of career, definitions of success, supportive factors, obstacles, and living in 2 worlds. Within these domains, several categories emerged, with differences noted between those participants with postsecondary education and those with secondary education in 3 of the domains. Following discussion of and comparison of the categories across the 2 groups, implications for future research and theory development are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)