An electrostatic elliptical mirror for neutral polar molecules

Focusing optics for neutral molecules finds application in shaping and steering molecular beams. Here we present an electrostatic elliptical mirror for polar molecules consisting of an array of microstructured gold electrodes deposited on a glass substrate. Alternating positive and negative voltages applied to the electrodes create a repulsive potential for molecules in low-field-seeking states. The equipotential lines are parallel to the substrate surface, which is bent in an elliptical shape. The mirror is characterized by focusing a beam of metastable CO molecules and the results are compared to the outcome of trajectory simulations.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Progress in the MF radar system at Saskatoon

Two improvements were made to the radar system in the last year, one was the addition of O/X mode capability to the full antenna array used in the real-time wind system, and the other was the development of a coherent receiver. The design of the transmitter antenna is examined. The proposed coherent real-time wind system is also discussed

A Stark decelerator on a chip

A microstructured array of 1254 electrodes on a substrate has been configured to generate an array of local minima of electric field strength with a periodicity of 120 $\mu$m about 25 $\mu$m above the substrate. By applying sinusoidally varying potentials to the electrodes, these minima can be made to move smoothly along the array. Polar molecules in low-field seeking quantum states can be trapped in these traveling potential wells. Recently, we experimentally demonstrated this by transporting metastable CO molecules at constant velocities above the substrate [Phys. Rev. Lett. 100 (2008) 153003]. Here, we outline and experimentally demonstrate how this microstructured array can be used to decelerate polar molecules directly from a molecular beam. For this, the sinusoidally varying potentials need to be switched on when the molecules arrive above the chip, their frequency needs to be chirped down in time, and they need to be switched off before the molecules leave the chip again. Deceleration of metastable CO molecules from an initial velocity of 360 m/s to a final velocity as low as 240 m/s is demonstrated in the 15-35 mK deep potential wells above the 5 cm long array of electrodes. This corresponds to a deceleration of almost $10^5$ $g$, and about 85 cm$^{-1}$ of kinetic energy is removed from the metastable CO molecules in this process.Comment: 17 pages, 6 figure

Measurement of the horizontal velocity of wind perturbations in the middle atmosphere by spaced MF radar systems

Two remote receiving sites have been set up at a distance of approx 40 km from the main MF radar system. This allows measurement of upper atmosphere winds from 60-120 km (3 km resolution) at the corners of an approximately equilateral triangle of side approx 20 km. Some preliminary data are compared through cross correlation and cross spectral analysis in an attempt to determine the horizontal velocity of wind perturbations and/or the horizontal wavelength and phase velocity of gravity waves

Winds and Waves (4 Min - 11 Yrs) in the Upper Middle Atmosphere (60-110 Km) at Saskatoon, Canada (52 Deg N, 107 Deg W): MF Radar (2.2 Mhz) Soundings 1973 - 1983

Examples of gravity waves (GW), tides, planetary waves (PW), and circulation effects in the upper middle atmosphere are presented. Energy densities of GW, tides, and PW are compared. Fourier and spectral analyses are applied to the data

Overcoming “Financial-Phobia”

It’s not uncommon in nursing circles, whether in practice or academe, to see eyes roll back and mouths utter words of anguish when those proposing a solution or new initiative know that leaders will expect solid financial rationale as an integral part of the proposal. For many historical and contextual reasons, nurses and nursing have often shied away from putting serious effort into the development of financial expertise. What is now incredibly clear is that if one expects to be “at the table” influencing key decisions affecting healthcare, then the development of one’s own financial acumen is an imperative. Developing expertise involves both a basic understanding of financial/accounting principles as well as the ability to use financial information to think strategically and realistically about the pros and cons of various decisions. In addition, all leaders need an in depth understanding of how healthcare is reimbursed and which levers can be used to maximize revenues while protecting resources that most ensure the quality and safety of patient care. Many nurses have the desire to learn, but fear the topic and don’t know exactly where to start. This article will outline some practical advice about what to learn and will offer some helpful resources for getting started as well

Win-Win Negotiation

Negotiation skills are some of the most important competencies one can develop. Negotiation is called into play when the parties in the discussion want different decisions, outcomes, or actions. People may face these discussions with fears of losing advantage, being bullied or failing to get the help or resources needed to accomplish a goal. Worse yet, some individuals may feel that other important outcomes are at stake such as losing approval and support. The definition of a win-win negotiation is that a fair compromise can be reached where both parties feel good about the solution as well as their continuing relationship moving forward. This article outlines some of the considerations when developing one’s negotiation competencies

Understanding influences on the critical-to-success factors in online brand communities

In an internationally competitive market a company’s brand is its most valuable asset, and increasing and retaining loyal customers is key to long-term success. Forging binding relationships between consumers and their brand is therefore of critical importance to most organisations (Lhotáková, 2012). Previous studies indicate that online brand communities (OBCs) effectively facilitate such relationships (Backhaus, Steiner & Lugger, 2011; Madupu & Cooley, 2010) and provide companies with reliable marketing intelligence to potentially gain a competitive advantage. OBCs are online forums dedicated to a specific brand, where consumers gather and exchange information and socialise. Today they are more prevalent than ever before, yet research in this area is still limited. From a marketing perspective, research indicates that creating bonds between the consumer and the brand offers stability to the brand, and consumers who involve themselves with brand communities’ exhibit higher levels of brand loyalty (Brodie et al, 2013; Thomas & Veloutsou, 2013). Therefore it is essential that marketers understand the culture of OBC’s, in order to retain existing members, and to develop strategies to encourage new members to join. The objective of this study was to identify and examine both individual and community level attributes that influence members’ participative behaviour and sense of belonging (SOB) to OBCs, as these factors are critical for retaining members and sustaining the community. In addition, the strength of each relationship was measured, based on whether members were socialisers or information seekers, as this has been the subject of significant discourse in the online community literature. The investigation employed a mixed methods approach and two-stage process. The first stage involved netnography and focus groups (qualitative research) in order to provide depth and clarity to the study and structure to the questionnaire (quantitative research) used in stage two. The sample for this study consisted of 659 OBC members from around the world; however the majority of respondents (455) were from one specific community with an affiliation to the LEGO® brand. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to determine if items loaded on their respective constructs, Cronbach’s alpha was performed to check the internal consistency of the items for reliability, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to determine the convergent and discriminant validity of the model. Finally, structural equation modelling (SEM), in the form of path analysis, was used to test the hypotheses. Key findings from the research indicate that the strongest individual level influence on participative behaviour in an OBC is the network ties that develop between members in the community. This suggests that friendships between community members have the capacity to increase the time they spend in the community and the number of posts they contribute. The level of perceived anonymity is another individual level factor found to have a significantly negative effect on participative behaviour, and a sense of belonging, therefore as members become more recognisable in the community the more they actively participate, and the greater attachment they develop to the community. From a community perspective social capital represented by a shared language, shared vision, social trust and reciprocity has the most significant influence on the sense of belonging members develop in the community. This suggests that the quality and structure of the relationships in an OBC, and the culture of the environment has a strong effect on the strength of the connection members cultivate with an OBC. Interestingly when the data is separated between subgroups of information seekers and socialisers network ties only increase participative behaviour for information seekers, and perceived anonymity only has an influence on participative behaviour for socialisers. The results of this study support the proposed conceptual model and offer insights into the different influences on consumer behaviour in OBCs, and how the purpose for participation affects the composition and strength of those influences. Iimplications for marketers, organisations and OBC administrators include a greater understanding of the factors that encourage and support participative behaviour and sense of belonging to the community. Consequently, stakeholders can use this information to develop strategies that will ensure the ongoing success of their OBCs. Theoretical contributions include bridging the gap between the literature related to online communities in general and the unique characteristics of OBC’s, developing a valid measurement scale for social capital in an OBC context, and establishing a structural framework of consumer behaviour specific to OBC’s

Peter K. Austin and Julia Sallabank (eds.). Endangered Languages: Beliefs and Ideologies in Language Documentation and Revitalization. Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press. 2014. xvi + 429 pp. Hb (9780197265765) US$125.00.

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134831/1/josl12217_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134831/2/josl12217.pd