IPv6 delay and loss performance evolution

Although packet delay and loss are two important parameters of the Internet performance, to the best of our knowledge, the evolution of large‐scale IPv6 delay and loss performance has previously not been studied. In this paper, we analyze more than 600 end‐to‐end IPv6 paths between about 26 testboxes of RIPE Network Coordination Centre over two years, and compare the delay and loss performance over time with their IPv4 counterparts. We present and discuss the measurement methodologies and show that IPv6 paths have a higher delay and loss than their IPv4 counterparts. The main reason for the worse performance stems from IPv6‐in‐IPv4 tunnels rather than from native IPv6 paths and such tunnels are still widely used today. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CAD oriented frequency,temperature, and DC bias dependent small‐signal,scalable circuit model of parallel‐plate paraelectric varactors

Simple, CAD compatible small‐signal scalable circuit model for the thin film parallel‐plate ferroelectric varactors is reported. It is based on the measured permittivity and loss tangent of the ferroelectric films along with the fundamental theoretical relationships of ferroelectrics in paraelectric phase. The model makes use of the measured DC field (voltage) at the inflection point of the C‐V curve where the nonlinearity (dC/dV) and the tunability are maximum. Both the capacitance and the equivalent loss resistance (dielectric losses) in the ferroelectric film take into account the low permittivity layers at the boundaries of the nano‐columns of the film. The frequency dependent losses in the top and bottom plates of the varactors and the parasitic inductance of the plates are also taken into account. The model is valid for ferroelectric films having columnar structure. It is useful in wide temperature, DC field, and frequency ranges. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2009.     

User perceptions of ICT impacts in Swedish construction companies: ‘it’s fine,just as it is’

The use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in construction companies has been growing steadily during the last decade. However, few studies inquire into either perceptions of the impact of actual ICT use or perceptions among different occupational groups in construction companies. The aim of the paper is to explore users’ general perceptions of ICT impacts in the post-adoption stage and analyse the implications for construction management practice. A mixed methods approach was used. Quantitative data were collected using a web-based survey both in a major construction company and among medium-sized companies in Sweden. Data from 294 returned completed questionnaires were analysed with t-tests and multiple regression analysis. In addition, participant observations and semi-structured interviews were conducted within the major construction company in order to strengthen the analysis. It can be concluded that respondents are generally fairly satisfied with the ICT. Differences in perceptions among occupational groups can be explained by the nature of work tasks and the original intentions for using ICT as a means of control and calculation. Even if respondents perceive that a further development of ICT could improve competitiveness, they do not want to increase their use of it in their workplaces. They basically think that ‘it is fine, just as it is’. This indicates that a challenge in construction management is to investigate how prevailing and new ICT applications can be used to develop the industry.     

EU renewable energy support policy: Faith or facts?

The recent EU Commission proposal for promoting the supply of power from renewable energy sources was originally based on a pan-European, harmonised tradable green certificate (TGC) scheme. We suggest, on the basis of a multi-disciplinary analysis, that a pan-EU TGC system is not the way forward for Europe. It is vital that the Commission (and the majority of Member States) avoids implementation of such policy designs put forward by a coalition of vested interests. They should instead look at, and act upon, the available evidence from those countries that have experimented with TGCs (e.g. Flanders, UK and Sweden) and design policies that stand a better chance of meeting the criteria of effectiveness, efficiency and equity. In particular, the policies must enable EU to meet the immense innovation/industrialisation challenge by inducing the development of a capital goods industry that can, eventually, diffuse a broad range of technologies that use renewable energy sources. Only then we can acquire an ability to implement an industrial revolution in the energy system in a way that broadly meets the criteria of effectiveness and dynamic efficiency.     

Opportunities for and limits to Academics as System builders—The case of realizing the potential of gasified biomass in Austria

Gasified biomass is a technology that has the potential to partially replace fossil fuels for the production of heat, electricity, transport fuels, synthetic natural gas (BioSNG) and chemicals. In the context of climate change, biomass gasification is an attractive technology. It is, however, still in the early phase of its diffusion and much of the knowledge resides in the academic sector and in small companies—the technological innovation system (TIS) is in the process of being formed. Austria is one of the leading European countries in this field and much of the development in Austria can be traced to one prominent individual, Professor Hermann Hofbauer at the Technical University of Vienna. The purpose of this paper is to analyze how and the extent to which an individual academic, Professor Hofbauer, has influenced the formation of a TIS centred on gasified biomass in Austria. We find that his impact is multidimensional and significant but that there is also a frictional and intentional resistance that obstructs the commercialisation of the new technology. These sources of resistance go beyond the ability of an individual system builder to handle. Policy makers, therefore, need to add a strong element of system building activities that interact with and supplement those pursued by Professor Hofbauer.     

The importance of neonatal asphyxia and caesarean section as risk factors for neonatal respiratory disorders in an unselected population

The risk of neonatal respiratory disorders was calculated in an unselected, total population together with the relative contributions of some factors found associated with an increased risk. Postnatal asphyxia, expressed as a low one minute Apgar score, and low gestational age were substantially, independent risk factors. Caesarean section added, though less markedly, to the risk of the above disorders.     

A proximal femoral implant preserves physiological bone deformation: a biomechanical investigation in cadaveric bones

The aim of this study was to compare the perturbances in bone deformation patterns of the proximal femur due to a conventional cemented femoral stem and a novel uncemented implant designed on the principles of osseointegration. Five matched pairs of fresh frozen human femora were mechanically tested. Bone deformation patterns, measured with a video digitizing system under 1.5 kN joint force, showed that the cemented Spectron femoral implant caused significant alterations to the proximal femoral deformation pattern, whereas the Gothenburg osseointegrated titanium femoral implant did not significantly alter the bone behaviour (p < 0.05). Vertical micromotions measured under 1 kN after 1000 cycles were within the threshold of movement tolerable for bone ingrowth (21 microm for the Gothenburg system and 26 microm for the cemented implant).     

Screening of biomarkers in rat urine using LC/electrospray ionization-MS and two-way data analysis

Biofluids, like urine, form very complex matrixes containing a large number of potential biomarkers, that is, changes of endogenous metabolites in response to xenobiotic exposure. This paper describes a fast and sensitive method of screening biomarkers in rat urine. Biomarkers for phospholipidosis, induced by an antidepressant drug, were studied. Urine samples from rats exposed to citalopram were analyzed using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis detecting negative ions. A fast iterative method, called Gentle, was used for the automatic curve resolution, and metabolic fingerprints were obtained. After peak alignment principal component analysis (PCA) was performed for pattern recognition, PCA loadings were studied as a means of discovering potential biomarkers. In this study a number of potential biomarkers of phospholipidosis in rats are discussed. They are reported by their retention time and base peak, as their identification is not within the scope of the study. In addition to the fact that it was possible to differentiate control samples from dosed samples, the data were very easy to interpret, and signals from xenobiotic-related substances were easily removed without affecting the endogenous compounds. The proposed method is a complement or an alternative to NMR for metabolomic applications.     

Strategies to obtain pattern fidelity in nanowire growth from large-area surfaces patterned using nanoimprint lithography

Position controlled nanowire growth is important for nanowire-based optoelectronic components which rely on light emission or light absorption. For solar energy harvesting applications, dense arrays of nanowires are needed; however, a major obstacle to obtaining dense nanowire arrays is seed particle displacement and coalescing during the annealing stage prior to nanowire growth. Here, we explore three different strategies to improve pattern preservation of large-area catalyst particle arrays defined by nanoimprint lithography for nanowire growth. First, we see that heat treating the growth substrate prior to nanoimprint lithography improves pattern preservation. Second, we explore the possibility of improving pattern preservation by fixing the seed particles in place prior to annealing by modifying the growth procedure. And third, we show that a SiN _x growth mask can fully prevent seed particle displacement. We show how these strategies allow us to greatly improve the pattern fidelity of grown InP nanowire arrays with dimensions suitable for solar cell applications, ultimately achieving 100% pattern preservation over the sampled area. The generic nature of these strategies is supported through the synthesis of GaAs and GaP nanowires.

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