The Silicon Backplane Design for an LCOS Polarization-Insensitive Phase Hologram SLM

Polarization-insensitivity is achieved in a reflective spatial light modulator by laying a quarter-wave plate (QWP) at the incident wavelength directly over the mirror pixels of a silicon backplane, and forming a nematic Freedrickcz cell over the QWP to modulate the reflected phase. To achieve the highest drive voltage from the available silicon process, a switched voltage common front electrode design is described, with variable amplitude square wave drive to the pixels to maintain constant root-mean-square drive and minimize phase fluctuations during the dc balance refresh cycle. The silicon has been fabricated and liquid-crystal-on-silicon cells both with and without the QWP assembled; applications include optically transparent switches for optical networks, beam steering for add-drop multiplexers for wavelength-division-multiplexing telecommunications, television multicast, and holographic projection.     

High-Performance Work Systems and Organizational Performance in Emerging Economies: Evidence from MNEs in Turkey

This study examines the association between the usage of high-performance work systems (HPWS) by subsidiaries of multinational enterprises (MNEs) in Turkey and employee and subsidiary level outcomes. The study is based on a survey of 148 MNE subsidiaries operating in Turkey. The results show that the usage of HPWS has a significant positive impact on employee effectiveness. However, their impact on employee skills and development, and organizational financial performance are far less clear. Our findings highlight the extent to which HWPS need to be adapted to take account of context-specific institutional realities.     

Free-space interconnect for optical switch and analogue neural network

In this paper, the architecture of a vector-matrix multiplier (MVM) is simulated. The optical design can be made compact by the use of GRIN lenses for the optical fan-in. The intended application area was in storage area networks (SANs) but the concept can be applied to a neural network.     

Low-complexity Low-PAR transmission for MIMO-DSL

This letter considers clip-limited transmission over multiple-input multiple-output digital subscriber lines (MIMO-DSL). We show that a recent low complexity, low peak-to-average-ratio (PAR) single-input modulation technique can be applied to the case of multiple cross-talking channels in a bonded-DSL system. Unfortunately however the direct initialization procedure is computationally infeasible. In this paper, we provide a novel low-complexity initialization procedure. Simulations confirm that the proposed approach has superior performance in clip-limited conditions, compared with both discrete matrix multitone and vectored discrete multitone.     

Effect of substrate surface modification using Ag nano-dots on the improvement of J c and microstructures in YBa2Cu3O7 thin films grown on LaAlO3 (100) by pulsed laser deposition

YBa₂Cu₃O₇ (Y123) thin films were grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on LaAlO₃ (100) substrates whose surfaces were modified by a discontinuously layer of Ag nano-dots. The Y123 films were characterised by atomic force microscope, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and DC magnetization measurements. Effect of substrate surface modification using various densities of the Ag nano-dots on the improvements of critical current density J _c and microstructures in the Y123 films has been studied systematically. The results showed that at fixed physical deposition conditions J _c increased with the number of Ag shots, n. Zero field J _c at 77 K increased from 10⁶ to 3.3 × 10⁶ A/cm², and from 1.5 × 10⁷up to 4 × 10⁷A/cm² for 5 K as the number of Ag shots increased from zero to 150. However, a fluctuation of J _c was observed for n < 60 at 77 and 40 K in both low and high fields. Detailed microstructure analysis revealed that ab misalignment was gradually improved as Ag nano-dots density gradually increased and believed to be responsible for the J _c enhancement.     

Temporal feed restriction and overstocking increase competition for feed by dairy cattle

Dairy cows are often overstocked. Some managers are now using “slick bunk” (i.e., feeding for 0% orts) management to save on feed costs, but this reduces the time that cows have access to feed. Both practices may increase competition and affect feeding behavior in dairy cows. The aim was to determine the effects of temporal and spatial restrictions on the feeding and competitive behavior of group-housed cows. Treatments were 2 levels of stocking (2:1 versus 1:1 cows:feed bin) and 2 levels of feed access time (14 versus 24 h/d access). Eight groups (each of 6 cows) were tested on each of the 4 treatment combinations for 1 wk, with treatment order assigned using a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Dry matter intake (DMI), feeding time, and feeding rate were measured for the last 4 d of each week, and data were summarized daily and for the 2-h period immediately after the morning feeding. Displacements were recorded for 2 h after the delivery of morning feed (peak feeding period) and 2 h following the afternoon milking. The DMI did not decline when temporal access was restricted (27.0 vs. 25.7 ± 0.5 kg/d), and was not affected by overstocking (26.4 ± 1.9, mean ± SD). Cows with restricted temporal access spent less time feeding (190.9 vs. 207.9 ± 6.1 min). Overstocked cows that were temporally restricted had greater feeding rates during the day (156 vs. 137 ± 4 g/min) and especially during the peak feeding period (175 vs. 146 ± 4 g/min) compared with cows that were not restricted. In the peak feeding period, overstocked cows had reduced DMI (3.0 vs. 3.4 ± 0.1 kg/h) and feeding times (20.8 vs. 25.8 ± 1.0 min/h) and increased feeding rates (161 vs. 138 ± 4 g/min). Cows with restricted temporal access had greater DMI (3.9 vs. 2.6 ± 0.2 kg/h) and time spent feeding (27.3 vs. 19.2 ± 1.3 min/h) during the peak feeding period compared with cows that had continuous access to feed. Restricting temporal access in conjunction with overstocking resulted in the greatest increase in daily displacements (15.0 vs. 3.8 ± 1.4 displacements/d); the majority of these occurred during the peak feeding period. Adequate space and time to access feed is essential to minimize feed bunk competition in indoor group housing systems.     

Splat-quench solidification of freely falling liquid-metal drops by impact on a planar substrate

Results are presented of a study of the splat-quench solidification of small, freely falling liquid drops of the alloy Nitronic 40W, which were allowed to impact on a solid, planar, horizontal substrate. The principal variable was the substrate material, with substrates of copper, alumina and fused quartz being used. The shapes of the solidified splats were correlated with a simplified model for the energetics of the splatting process and with the thermal conductivity of the substrate. The measured results are qualitatively in agreement with theoretical predictions, and suggestions are offered for a more comprehensive model of splat-quench solidification. A relationship between sessile droplet diameter and parent wire diameter is also presented and discussed.