Electrically reconfigurable logic array

To compose the complicated systems using algorithmically specialized logic circuits or processors, one solution is to perform relational computations such as union, division and intersection directly on hardware. These relations can be pipelined efficiently on a network of processors having an array configuration. These processors can be designed and implemented with a few simple cells. In order to determine the state-of-the-art in Electrically Reconfigurable Logic Array (ERLA), a survey of the available programmable logic array (PLA) and the logic circuit elements used in such arrays was conducted. Based on this survey some recommendations are made for ERLA devices

Euler/Navier-Stokes calculations of transonic flow past fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft configurations

Computational fluid dynamics has an increasingly important role in the design and analysis of aircraft as computer hardware becomes faster and algorithms become more efficient. Progress is being made in two directions: more complex and realistic configurations are being treated and algorithms based on higher approximations to the complete Navier-Stokes equations are being developed. The literature indicates that linear panel methods can model detailed, realistic aircraft geometries in flow regimes where this approximation is valid. As algorithms including higher approximations to the Navier-Stokes equations are developed, computer resource requirements increase rapidly. Generation of suitable grids become more difficult and the number of grid points required to resolve flow features of interest increases. Recently, the development of large vector computers has enabled researchers to attempt more complex geometries with Euler and Navier-Stokes algorithms. The results of calculations for transonic flow about a typical transport and fighter wing-body configuration using thin layer Navier-Stokes equations are described along with flow about helicopter rotor blades using both Euler/Navier-Stokes equations

Management practices in Australian healthcare: can NSW public hospitals do better?

© 2016, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of best management practices in an Australian state-run healthcare system, namely New South Wales (NSW), and studies the impact of a range of hospital factors in driving best management practices as a means of enhancing healthcare delivery. Design/methodology/approach – This study adapts a unique survey instrument globally tested to quantify the multi-dimensional nature of hospital management practices in 42 acute care public hospitals of NSW. The authors then analysed the role of hospital-specific characteristics in driving best management practices, namely hospital size (measured by the number of hospital beds, employees and doctors), level of skill and education, degree of hospital manager autonomy and organisational hierarchy. Findings – The findings of this study show the areas of strength and potential areas of improvement in NSW hospitals. The authors find a positive association between the adoption of better management practices and hospital size (measured by the number of hospital beds and employees), level of skills and education, degree of hospital manager autonomy and organisational hierarchy. However, hospital size as measured by the number of doctors did not have a statistically significant relationship. Practical implications – This paper is of interest to both hospital administrators, clinical doctors and healthcare policy-makers who want to improve and develop strategies for better management in the healthcare sector. Originality/value – This study provides an internationally comparable robust measure of management capability in public hospitals, and contributes to the evidence-base of management practices and performance in hospitals

Experimental study of two separating turbulent boundary layers

A detailed study of two strong adverse pressure gradient flows, one with a free-stream velocity of 35 m/sec, at throat (producing a Re sub theta of 27000 at detachment) and another with free-stream velocity of 22 m/sec, at throat (producing a Re sub theta of 19000 at detachment) is presented. In these examples flows separate slowly and reattach very rapidly over a very short distance in a streamwise direction. In the backflow region, there appears to be a semi-logarithmically flat region in the streamwise fluctuating velocity component, u', which spreads over a definite range of y/delta. In power spectra, the flow variables phi sub upsilon upsilon (kappa sub 1 delta)/ -uv bar sub max vs. kappa sub 1 delta forms a unique set of scaling parameters for adverse pressure gradient flows. Experimental results show good agreement with previous studies

Quintessential Inflation in a thawing realization

We study quintessential inflation with an inverse hyperbolic type potential $V(\phi) = {V_0}/{\cosh \left( {\phi^n}/{\lambda^n} \right)}$, where $V_0$, $\lambda$ and "n" are parameters of the theory. We obtain a bound on $\lambda$ for different values of the parameter n. The spectral index and the tensor-to-scalar-ratio fall in the $1 \sigma$ bound given by the Planck 2015 data for $n \geq 5$ for certain values of $\lambda$. However for $3 \leq n < 5$ there exist values of $\lambda$ for which the spectral index and the tensor-to-scalar-ratio fall only within the $2 \sigma$ bound of the Planck data. Furthermore, we show that the scalar field with the given potential can also give rise to late time acceleration if we invoke the coupling to massive neutrino matter. We also consider the instant preheating mechanism with Yukawa interaction and put bounds on the coupling constants for our model using the nucleosynthesis constraint on relic gravity waves produced during inflation.Comment: 11 page

Benchmarking management practices in Australian public healthcare

© 2016, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the quality of management practices of public hospitals in the Australian healthcare system, specifically those in the state-managed health systems of Queensland and New South Wales (NSW). Further, the authors assess the management practices of Queensland and NSW public hospitals jointly and globally benchmark against those in the health systems of seven other countries, namely, USA, UK, Sweden, France, Germany, Italy and Canada. Design/methodology/approach – In this study, the authors adapt the unique and globally deployed Bloom et al. (2009) survey instrument that uses a “double blind, double scored” methodology and an interview-based scoring grid to measure and internationally benchmark the management practices in Queensland and NSW public hospitals based on 21 management dimensions across four broad areas of management – operations, performance monitoring, targets and people management. Findings – The findings reveal the areas of strength and potential areas of improvement in the Queensland and NSW Health hospital management practices when compared with public hospitals in seven countries, namely, USA, UK, Sweden, France, Germany, Italy and Canada. Together, Queensland and NSW Health hospitals perform best in operations management followed by performance monitoring. While target management presents scope for improvement, people management is the sphere where these Australian hospitals lag the most. Practical implications – This paper is of interest to both hospital administrators and health care policy-makers aiming to lift management quality at the hospital level as well as at the institutional level, as a vehicle to consistently deliver sustainable high-quality health services. Originality/value – This study provides the first internationally comparable robust measure of management capability in Australian public hospitals, where hospitals are run independently by the state-run healthcare systems. Additionally, this research study contributes to the empirical evidence base on the quality of management practices in the Australian public healthcare systems of Queensland and NSW

Magneto-Chemical and Spectral Investigations of Lanthanide(III) Perrhenato Complexes of Mono N-Oxides of 1,10-Phenanthroline and 2,2\u27-Bipyridine

Lanthanide(III) perrhenato complexes of mono N-oxides of\u27 1,10-phenanthroline (PhenNO) and 2,2\u27-bipyridine (BipyNO) with the general composition Ln(Re04h·2L (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho or Yb and L=PhenNO or BipyNO) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility, DTA and infrared spectra. The probable coordination number of eight has been assigned to Ln+3 ion in these complexes

Oxozirconium(IV) Complexes of Di-n-Butyl and Di-n-Pentyl Sulphoxides

The synthesis and physical properties of ZrO++ complexes of di-n-butylsulphoxide (DBuSO) and di-n-pentylsulphoxide. (DPnSO) with the general composition ZrOX2·2L (X = Cl, Br, I, NCS, NCSe OI\u27 N03 and L = DBuSO or DPnSO) and ZrO(CI04)2\u27 4L are reported together with molecular conductivity, molecular weights and IR. In all the complexes, the sulphoxides are coordinated to zirconium(IV) through their lone oxygen atom. Thermal behaviour of the complexes has also been studied