1,565,269 research outputs found

    Photovoltaics: Using Semiconductor Materials to Convert Sunlight into Electricity

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    Key facts: - Photovoltaic (PV) systems consist of panels coated with a thin layer of semiconducting material. The sunlight knocks electrons loose from the atoms of the semiconducting material, and as the electrons flow through the material, they produce electricity. - Almost every region in the United States has sufficient solar resources for PV systems. On partly cloudy days, PV systems produce up to 80 percent of their potential electrical capacity, and on very overcast days, they can still produce about 25 percent. - A 90-mile square PV generating station in an average solar location in the United States could produce enough electricity to meet the entire country's peak demand, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. - Current worldwide installed PV capacity is more than 2,000 megawatts (MW). The world PV market is growing at approximately 25 percent annually

    Directed search, rationing and wage dispersion

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    This paper develops a microeconomic model of directed search, where firms are heterogeneous in the number of vacancies advertised, and wages affect workers' choices when both applying for jobs and accepting a job. An aggregate matching function is derived, which incorporates workers' preferences for firms. The aggregate level of matches is shown to be independent of the workers' preferences in the job acceptance stage. When firms' labor demands are heterogeneous, the matching market equilibrium outcome is suboptimal. Matching efficiency is, however, attained in equilibrium, when wages are employed as a rationing device. This results in wage dispersion, despite workers being homogeneous

    Making postgraduate students and supervisors aware of the role of emotions in the PhD process

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    Emotions are an integral part of the PhD process. A range of emotions are common and to be expected. How do emotions affect the PhD process for both postgraduate students and their supervisors? How can we make our emotions work positively for us in the PhD process? To explore answers to these questions, three lecturers currently supervising postgraduates and three postgraduates at various stages in their doctoral studies collectively pooled their experiences. We developed an interactive workshop that was recently conducted for postgraduate students at Murdoch University and at the Australian Association for Social Research annual conference 2002. This presentation will explore the role that emotions play in the PhD process and how supervisors and postgraduates alike can benefit from reflecting on this issue. A number of practical (and humorous) tips will be provided as well as examples from others' PhD experiences. The role of emotions at the beginning, middle and end of a PhD program will be explored. The data collection and analysis phases are a time when emotions may run riot. Trepidation is especially common when fieldwork or data collection is involved, as is anger when postgraduate's views about how the world works are challenged and then sadness (and relief!) when the data collection phase is finished. We will discuss how supervisors can assist their postgraduates to make these feelings work for them. The presentation will also explore the emotions that arise from the supervisor-postgraduate partnership

    Properties of periodic arrays of symmetric complementary structuresand their application to grid amplifiers

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    Deschamps' theorem for n-terminal complementary structures is reviewed. An extension to Deschamps' theorem for a class of three-terminal bounded structures with one axis of symmetry is presented. It is shown that, for these structures, a simple relationship between the impedances of the odd mode of the original structure and the admittances of the even mode of the complementary structure exists, and that these modes are orthogonal. Using this, a self-complementary grid amplifier is designed and the measured results are presented

    Generating Rembrandt: Artificial Intelligence, Copyright, and Accountability in the 3A Era--The Human-like Authors are Already Here- A New Model

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    Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are creative, unpredictable, independent, autonomous, rational, evolving, capable of data collection, communicative, efficient, accurate, and have free choice among alternatives. Similar to humans, AI systems can autonomously create and generate creative works. The use of AI systems in the production of works, either for personal or manufacturing purposes, has become common in the 3A era of automated, autonomous, and advanced technology. Despite this progress, there is a deep and common concern in modern society that AI technology will become uncontrollable. There is therefore a call for social and legal tools for controlling AI systems’ functions and outcomes. This Article addresses the questions of the copyrightability of artworks generated by AI systems: ownership and accountability. The Article debates who should enjoy the benefits of copyright protection and who should be responsible for the infringement of rights and damages caused by AI systems that independently produce creative works. Subsequently, this Article presents the AI Multi- Player paradigm, arguing against the imposition of these rights and responsibilities on the AI systems themselves or on the different stakeholders, mainly the programmers who develop such systems. Most importantly, this Article proposes the adoption of a new model of accountability for works generated by AI systems: the AI Work Made for Hire (WMFH) model, which views the AI system as a creative employee or independent contractor of the user. Under this proposed model, ownership, control, and responsibility would be imposed on the humans or legal entities that use AI systems and enjoy its benefits. This model accurately reflects the human-like features of AI systems; it is justified by the theories behind copyright protection; and it serves as a practical solution to assuage the fears behind AI systems. In addition, this model unveils the powers behind the operation of AI systems; hence, it efficiently imposes accountability on clearly identifiable persons or legal entities. Since AI systems are copyrightable algorithms, this Article reflects on the accountability for AI systems in other legal regimes, such as tort or criminal law and in various industries using these systems

    Sale of Goods in Service-Predominated Transactions

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    A Practical Understanding of Preeclampsia for a Nurse in a Third World Setting

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    Preeclampsia is a disease of pregnancy that affects approximately 3-5% of women with child. It is one of the primary causes of mortality in mothers and babies across the globe. The exact cause, pathogenesis, or disease progression is unknown. Therefore, there is no definition of which patients are at risk for developing preeclampsia and what can work as a preventative measure. In high socioeconomic settings where there is good healthcare, standard treatment is established to manage the symptoms and decrease the progression of preeclampsia to eclampsia. However, in more rural, third-world settings of developing countries, caring for patients with preeclampsia is not a straightforward matter. Due to decreased access to health care, low economic status, and lack of education, preeclampsia is often seen yet seldom treated among this population. The discussion below addresses several possible pathophysiological processes of preeclampsia, as well as potential risk factors. The standard treatments of care are then discussed, followed by the evaluation of studies regarding alternative treatments for preeclampsia. The importance of screening pregnant women in developing nations is included. The discussion is concluded by a summary of what caring for preeclampsia in a third-world setting might look like for a missionary nurse

    Poket Musafir: a guide for smart muslim travelers

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    Prayer (solat) is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith and it has been stated in the hadeeth of Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) who said; I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say; “Between a man and shirik and kufr there stands his giving up prayer”. In other words, it is prayer that distinguished the believer from the disbeliever. Given the importance for Muslims to perform their five daily prayers even during travel, an android application, Poket Musafir was developed to guide them in performing their obligations. Poket Musafir included in its menu details on rulings regarding Jamak and Qasr (combining and shortening of prayers) during travel, calculation on distance to see whether one is eligible to perform Jamak and Qasr prayers, common Q&A faced by Muslim travellers in performing their prayers. This application also has quizzes, and can be used by school students to help them understand the topic and test their knowledge, on what they have learnt in a more dynamic way instead of static text in the textbook. Poket Musafir was developed using Android Studio, Adobe Photoshop CS6, GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) and Adobe Illustrator
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