Experimental technique using FTIR to estimate IR optical properties at variable temperatures: application to PMDA-ODA polyimide thin films from 100 to 380 degrees C

An experimental technique is presented to measure reflectance at high sample temperature with respect to room temperature in the infrared using Fourier transform infrared fitted with a reflectometer. Sample temperature artifacts are accounted for by sequential measurements taken with the lamp source on and with the lamp source off. The sequential measurements are shown mathematically to correct for the modulation of sample and detector thermal emissions. Further, the technique is applied to a polyimide (PMDA-ODA) film on a layer of gold deposited on a thermally oxidized Si wafer. It is shown that the optical properties (index of refraction and extinction coefficient) remain relatively constant with temperature (from room temperature to 380 degrees C) in the 4000-6000 cm(-1) spectral region. The significant changes that occur with temperature are the change in thickness of the film and also the spectral properties in the 2000-4000 cm(-1) region. Also, by using a Lorentz oscillator model, it is shown that this method is able to discern that spectral features corresponding to the OH stretching bands at 3630 and 3470 cm(-1) show significant variation with increasing temperature.     

On the combinatorial complexity of fuzzy pattern matching in music analysis

In music analysis it is a common requirement to search a musical score for occurrences of a particular musical motif and its variants. This tedious and time-consuming task can be carried out by computer, using one of several models to specify which variants are to be included in the search. The question arises: just how many variants must be explicitly considered? The answer has a profound effect on the computer time needed. In this paper, recurrence relations and closed form analytic expressions are derived for the run time complexity of two models of fuzzy pattern matching for use in music analysis; each model assumes the existence of an atomic exact pattern matching operation. The formulae so obtained are evaluated and tabulated as a function of their independent parameters. These results enable a priori estimates to be made of the relative run times of different music searches performed using either model. This is illustrated by applying the results to an actual musical example.Richard E. Overill, BSc, PhD, C.Math, FIMA, C.Eng, MBCS, MIEE, is Lecturer in Computer Science at King's College London. His research includes the design, analysis, and practical implementation of algorithms on supercomputers. He has also given lecture-recitals on the keyboard music of the Tudor composers Thomas Tallis (1985), John Blitheman (1991), and William Byrd (1993).     

The it Imperative in Business Transformation

The IT imperative is to construct enterprisewide systems and capabilities needed by business to compete. For IS managers, this means embracing the viewpoint that IT plays a crucial role in building the business of the future. IS and business management must act as true partners, each supporting the other in creating an optimally performing company.     

Photocatalytic effect of carbon-modified n-TiO2 nanoparticles under visible light illumination

The present research focused on wet process synthesis of visible light active carbon-modified (CM)-n-TiO₂ nanoparticles and their photocatalytic activity. The CM-n-TiO₂ was synthesized by hydrolysis of TiCl₄ in the presence of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide and also in the presence of glucose and sodium hydroxide. UV–vis spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and FT-IR were used to characterize these photocatalysts. It was found that the CM-n-TiO₂ nanoparticles synthesized by hydrolysis with tetrabutylammonium hydroxide or with sodium hydroxide and glucose when subjected to extended aging and subsequent calcinations absorb well into the visible to near infrared region up to 800 nm and exhibit enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity on degradation of 4-chlorophenol. CM-n-TiO₂ synthesized using glucose as the carbon source generated 13-fold increase in the initial rate of photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol compared to those by regular n-TiO₂, whereas, it increased only eight-fold when tetrabutylammonium hydroxide was used as the carbon source.     

Institutional factors affecting fish passage in the Columbia River Treaty renegotiation

ABSTRACT

The United States and Canada have begun renegotiating the Columbia River Treaty, which is an international model for transboundary water governance. This paper identifies six institutional factors that will affect negotiations pertaining to fish passage during the renegotiation of the treaty: geographical advantage, issue linkage, a basin commission, the duration of agreements, negotiating autonomy and side payments. These factors and the methods used to determine them can be applied to other transboundary river basins where basin states have a history of transboundary resource governance. This analysis also serves as a policy-relevant resource for Columbia River Treaty negotiators and stakeholders.     

Odour emission ability (OEA) and its application in assessing odour removal efficiency

Odourous emissions from sewer networks and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can significantly impact a local population. Sampling techniques such as wind tunnels and flux hood chambers are traditionally used to collect area source samples for subsequent quantification of odour emission rates using dilution olfactometry, however these methods are unsuitable for assessing liquid samples from point sources due to the large liquid volumes required. To overcome this limitation, a gas phase sample preparation method was developed for assessing the total Odour Emission Ability (OEA) from a liquid sample. The method was validated using two volatile organic sulphur compounds (VOSCs), dimethyl-trisulphide (DMTS) and bismethylthiomethane (BMTM) that are frequently detected from sewers and WWTPs and are relatively stable compared with common VOSCs like mercaptan or methyl mercaptan. The recovery rates of DMTS and BMTM were quantified by injecting a known volume of a standard liquid sample into Tedlar bags using a static injection and a dynamic injection methodology. It was confirmed that both dynamic and static injection methods at ambient condition achieved high recovery rates with no need to consider increasing evaporation by elevating the temperature. This method can also be used to assess odour removal effectiveness of liquids by comparing the OEA before and after the treatment tests. Two application examples were presented.     

Decision support aids with anthropomorphic characteristics influence trust and performance in younger and older adults

This study examined the use of deliberately anthropomorphic automation on younger and older adults' trust, dependence and performance on a diabetes decision-making task. Research with anthropomorphic interface agents has shown mixed effects in judgments of preferences but has rarely examined effects on performance. Meanwhile, research in automation has shown some forms of anthropomorphism (e.g. etiquette) have effects on trust and dependence on automation. Participants answered diabetes questions with no-aid, a non-anthropomorphic aid or an anthropomorphised aid. Trust and dependence in the aid was measured. A minimally anthropomorphic aide primarily affected younger adults' trust in the aid. Dependence, however, for both age groups was influenced by the anthropomorphic aid. Automation that deliberately embodies person-like characteristics can influence trust and dependence on reasonably reliable automation. However, further research is necessary to better understand the specific aspects of the aid that affect different age groups. Automation that embodies human-like characteristics may be useful in situations where there is under-utilisation of reasonably reliable aids by enhancing trust and dependence in that aid. Practitioner Summary: The design of decision-support aids on consumer devices (e.g. smartphones) may influence the level of trust that users place in that system and their amount of use. This study is the first step in articulating how the design of aids may influence user's trust and use of such systems.     

Portable Device for Detection of Petit Mal Epilepsy

We have developed and tested a portable device that analyzes the electroencephalogram (EEG) to determine if petit mal epilepsy waveforms are present. Clinicians should rimd it useful in diagnosing seizure activity of their patients. The micropower, battery-operated, portable device indicates a seizure has occurred if three criteria are satisfied: 1) frequencies of 2.5-7 Hz, 2) large amplitude waves, and 3) minimum number of waves per second. Levels and counts are adjustable, thus insuring high reliability against noise artifacts and permitting each subject to be individually fitted. The device has shown promise in giving the patient a possible mechanism of seizure control or suppression.     

Existence of3He-vacancy bound states in4He crystals

Bound states and scattering resonances for a ³He-vacancy system in crystalline ⁴He are shown to exist. For realistic physical parameters the theory yields binding energies of 0.1 K. It is found that the bound states and scattering resonances tend to enhance the diffusion coefficient of ³He. The experimental consequences of this enhanced diffusion are discussed.