Thermal and electromagnetic properties of 166-Er and 167-Er

The primary gamma-ray spectra of 166-Er and 167-Er are deduced from the (3-He,alpha gamma) and (3-He,3-He' gamma) reaction, respectively, enabling a simultaneous extraction of the level density and the gamma-ray strength function. Entropy, temperature and heat capacity are deduced from the level density within the micro-canonical and the canonical ensemble, displaying signals of a phase-like transition from the pair-correlated ground state to an uncorrelated state at Tc=0.5 MeV. The gamma-ray strength function displays a bump around E-gamma=3 MeV, interpreted as the pygmy resonance.Comment: 21 pages including 2 tables and 11 figure

Improved storage capacity of hebbian learning attractor neural network with bump formations

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/11840817_25Proceedings of 16th International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks, Athens, Greece, September 10-14, 2006, Part IRecently, bump formations in attractor neural networks with distance dependent connectivities has become of increasing interest for investigation in the field of biological and computational neuroscience. Although the distance dependent connectivity is common in biological networks, a common fault of these network is the sharp drop of the number of patterns p that can remembered, when the activity changes from global to bump-like, than effectively makes these networks low effective. In this paper we represent a bump-based recursive network specially designed in order to increase its capacity, which is comparable with that of randomly connected sparse network. To this aim, we have tested a selection of 700 natural images on a network with N = 64K neurons with connectivity per neuron C. We have shown that the capacity of the network is of order of C, that is in accordance with the capacity of highly diluted network. Preserving the number of connections per neuron, a non-trivial behavior with the radius of the connectivity has been observed. Our results show that the decrement of the capacity of the bumpy network can be avoided.The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Spanish Grants DGI.M. CyT. FIS2005-1729, Plan de Promoción de la Investigación UNED and TIN 2004–07676-G01-01.We also thank David Dominguez for the fruitful discussion of the manuscript

Effect of Design Variables on Stability Threshold Speed of Bump Foil Journal Bearings

Bump foil journal bearings are prospective applicants for machine elements that can support a small-sized rotor of high-speed rotary machinery. The authors have proposed two models to the bearing, one of which corresponds to the bearing with an excessive static friction between the top and the bump foils and the other to the bearing without the friction. The variation of predicted maximum load capacity of the bearings with respect to the assembly preload was in qualitatively good agreement with the measurement. This study aims at predicting the effect of the design variables of the bearing on the stability threshold speed of the horizontal rigid rotor supported in the model bearings. The modified stability charts show that the effect of two of the variables, the attached angle and the angular extent of top foil, is noticeable, the other two variables, the rigidity of top foil and the equivalent spring constant of bump foil, is modest and the rest of the variables, the density and the thickness of top foil and the pitch angle of bump foil, is negligible. It is also found that the models have to be modified, considering that the top foil is detached from the bump foil

Effect of Lifting of Top Foil and Its Mounting Style on Predicted Maximum Load Carrying Capacity of Bump Foil Journal Bearings

A bump foil journal bearing is a prospective applicant that can support a small-sized rotor of high-speed rotary machinery. However, a theoretical model that can make a reasonable prediction of the bearing performance has not been developed. The authors have predicted the maximum load carrying capacity of the bearing by using two model bearings, one of which corresponds to the bearing with an excessive static fiction between the top and the bump foils and the other to the bearing without the friction. However, the top foil could not lift off the bump foil in the model bearings. In this report, the effect of lifting of top foil and also mounting style of top foil on the bearing housing on the predicted capacity will be investigated. It is found that their effect is little when excessive static friction is acted between the two foils. This results from their negligible influence on the distribution of air film pressure. On the other hand, the effect is also little when the friction is negligible. This is because only a slight change in the reaction force of air film arises although they affect the pressure distribution through a larger deformation of top foil

Farmer’s Technology Capability Model through Farmer Own Enterprises

This research aimed to develop a model for enhancement capability of farmer’s technology through partnerships with Farmer-Owned Enterprises (BUMP). The model for enhancement capability of farmer’s technology consists of a technology needs sub-models, technology capability measurement sub-models, and program formulation for enhancement capability of farmers technologicy sub-model. The analysis used in this research is Analytical Hierarchy Process, Multi Expert Multi-Criteria Decision Making (ME-MCDM), ESCAP, and Business Process Mapping. The results of the research program in the form of capacity building of farmers through partnerships BUMP technology. Keywords:Analytical Hierarchy Process, Multi Expert Multi Criteria Decision Making, ESCAP, Business Process Mappin

TRIP WIRES AND SPEED BUMPS: MANAGING FINANCIAL RISKS AND REDUCING THE POTENTIAL FOR FINANCIAL CRISES IN DEVELOPING ECONOMIES

This paper investigates the shortcomings of the “early warning systems” (EWS) that are currently being promoted with such vigour in the multilateral and academic community. It then advocates an integrated “trip wire-speed bump” regime to reduce financial risk and, as a consequence, to reduce the frequency and depth of financial crises in developing countries. Specifically, this paper achieves four objectives. First, it demonstrates that efforts to develop EWS for banking, currency and generalized financial crises in developing countries have largely failed. It argues that EWS have failed because they are based on faulty theoretical assumptions, not least that the mere provision of information can reduce financial turbulence in developing countries. Second, the paper advances an approach to managing financial risks through trip wires and speed bumps. Trip wires are indicators of vulnerability that can illuminate the specific risks to which developing economies are exposed. Among the most significant of these vulnerabilities are the risk of large-scale currency depreciations, the risk that domestic and foreign investors and lenders may suddenly withdraw capital, the risk that locational and/or maturity mismatches will induce debt distress, the risk that non-transparent financial transactions will induce financial fragility, and the risk that a country will suffer the contagion effects of financial crises that originate elsewhere in the world or within particular sectors of their own economies. It argues that trip wires must be linked to policy responses that alter the context in which investors operate. In this connection, policymakers should link specific speed bumps that change behaviours to each type of trip wire. Third, the paper argues that the proposal for a trip wire-speed bump regime is not intended as a means to prevent all financial instability and crises in developing countries. Indeed, such a goal is fanciful. But insofar as developing countries remain highly vulnerable to financial instability, it is critical that policymakers vigorously pursue avenues for reducing the financial risks to which their economies are exposed and for curtailing the destabilizing effects of unpredictable changes in international private capital flows. Fourth, the paper responds to likely concerns about the response of investors, the IMF and powerful governments to the trip wire-speed bump approach. The paper also considers the issue of technical/institutional capacity to pursue this approach to policy. The paper concludes by arguing that the obstacles confronting the trip wire-speed bump approach are not insurmountable.

Evaluation of bridge component design and construction techniques: A look at integral abutment bridge precast approach slabs and post grouted drilled shafts

The bump at the end of the bridge and the high cost of deep embedded drilled shafts have long been recognized by many bridge owners. This research aims to mediate the bump at the end of the bridge and to validate the use of post grouting to increase drilled shaft capacity. Performance monitoring and full scale test programs were used to evaluate these technical issues. The bump at the end of the bridge is typically due to settlement of the approach soils and cracking of the approach pavements. The settlement and cracking in integral abutment bridges are typically dealt with by connecting the approach slab to the integral abutment bridge. Two integral abutment bridges with integrally connected precast approach slabs were evaluated using long-term monitoring systems to study their structural performance and determine the range of forces that should be considered when designing such approach slabs. This study has identified design and construction considerations for integrally connected precast approach slabs. The approach slab study revealed the source and magnitude of forces to be considered in the design and construction of approach slabs integrally connected to integral abutment bridges. Consideration of these forces in the design and construction of such approach slabs could potentially lead to reduced maintenance costs associated with the bump at the end of the bridge. The required deep embedment length of drilled shafts is due to the inability to fully mobilize the end bearing resistance of the shaft before reaching service displacement criteria. Post grouting of drilled shafts can be used to effectively increase the end bearing capacity within service displacement limits, often times allowing the drilled shaft to be shortened without sacrificing capacity. Through a load test program and long-term performance monitoring of production shafts, the increase in capacity and performance of post grouted drilled shafts were investigated. This study has identified design and construction considerations for post grouted drilled shafts. The post grouted drilled shaft study verified the use of post grouting as a technique for increasing the end bearing resistance of drilled shafts and also identified design and construction considerations for post grouted drilled shafts. Increasing the end bearing resistance of drilled shafts through the use of post grouting can effectively allow the shafts to be shortened without losing capacity or exceeding service displacement criteria; potentially leading to reduced costs for bridge projects