The role of an academic institute in setting national environmental policy: The case of Israel

Two major players are active in determining the development of environmental policies: the government and “the public.” These diverse players have intrinsic limitations and are often driven by different agenda, different aims, and different means. Therefore, inconsistent actions and lack of a clear agenda and action plan characterize the environmental policy. There is an essential role for a third player, namely, a team that is as professional and as objective as possible. The Samuel Neaman Institute (SNI) has taken it upon itself to serve as this third party, and has been providing the scientific background needed to develop and propose a rational and environmental set of priorities for Israel since 1998.     

A Photovoltaic C60-Si Heterojunction

A heterojunction was prepared by depositing a thin film of C₆₀ on a p-Si substrate. Photovoltaic properties were observed using a UV-filtered solar simulator and natural sun light. Surface Photovoltage Spectroscopy was employed to distinguish between the nature of photoconversion in the C₆₀ and Si layers.     

Film thickness in horizontal annular flow

Film thickness in horizontal annular flow in small diameter pipes (8-12 mm) was measured as a function of circumferential position. In addition a simple analytical model for the prediction of the film thickness at the top and bottom of the pipe is proposed.     

Electronic characterization of heterojunctions by surface potential monitoring

An original approach for studying the formation of semiconductor heterojunctions and their electronic properties is discussed and illustrated. Monitoring the changes in the surface potential during the heterojunction formation lends itself to direct measurement of the band discontinuities, Debye length, and the width of the space-charge region at heterojunction interfaces. The contribution of an interface dipole is considered. The technique is demonstrated by a technologically significant experimental example.     

The Eccentric Spheres Model as the Basis for a Study of the Role of Geometry and Inhomogeneities in Electrocardiography

To study the role of internal geometry and inhomogeneities in the "forward problem" of electrocardiography (ECG), a mathematical model was constructed which permitted manipulation of these variables. The model, which consists of two eccentric systems of concentric spheres, contains all the important torso compartments, namely the blood cavity, the myocardium, the pericardium, the lung region, the surface muscle layer, and the subcutaneous fat. An analytic solution is found in the form of a double series expansion in Legendre polynomials. The integrated effect of the inhomogeneities on the surface potential distribution is investigated. The model demonstrates the importance of interactions between the various torso components in determining the potential distribution at the surface.     

Some Bounds for the Reliability of a System With Specified Failure Rate Characteristics

When bounds are sought for the reliability of a system, all available information is applied, e.g., moments of the life distribution (mainly the first moment), life percentiles obtained experimentally, and general data. Barlow et al. [1] and Epstein [2] presented bounds for a monotone-increasing or decreasing failure rate, and bounded the reliability by referring to a system with a constant failure rate. In this paper, the reliability is bounded by utilizing additional information on the behavior of the failure rate as a function of age.     

The relation between limb dominance, acceptance of disability, and the phantom limb phenomenon.

Examined 2 hypotheses regarding the phantom limb sensation (PLS). One predicted that the frequency of PLS would be greater for the dominant than the nondominant limb. The 2nd hypothesized that there is an inverse relation between acceptance of the disability and frequency of PLS. 18 double-amputees who had lost 2 homologous limbs while in military service were administered questionnaires examining limb dominance, frequency of the PLS, and acceptance of disability. Results confirm only the 1st hypothesis. The PLS is discussed in light of the present findings, and it is concluded that the role of physiological factors seems to be clearer than that of psychological ones. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dynamics of Surface Atoms and Molecules Under Irradiation

Various classes of interactions between surface species and irradiation are discussed. Electron induced decomposition of halides, photon- and electron-stimulated desorption and photodesorption are emphasized. Experimental work, involving a wide range of techniques, has been carried out on different materials whose surfaces can be subject to those interactions, enhancing our insight into the corresponding processes. The data are described in terms of existing and new mechanisms, while the similarities and differences between the various interactions are pointed out.