Noise Limited Computational Speed

In modern transistor based logic gates, the impact of noise on computation has become increasingly relevant since the voltage scaling strategy, aimed at decreasing the dissipated power, has increased the probability of error due to the reduced switching threshold voltages. In this paper we discuss the role of noise in a two state model that mimic the dynamics of standard logic gates and show that the presence of the noise sets a fundamental limit to the computing speed. An optimal idle time interval that minimizes the error probability, is derived

Recognising English accents in the community: Omani students' accent preferences and perceptions of nativeness

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Previous research has revealed that although EFL students may claim to prefer British/US accents they often have difficulty identifying them, especially when such accents may differ from 'standard' accents presented in ELT materials. In the Gulf, English is widely used as a lingua franca or as a second language by the large expatriate workforce. Particular accents in English characteristic for L1 speakers of Arabic or South Asian languages are commonly heard in the education and service sectors. This study investigates whether Omani university students are able to distinguish between native English speaker (NES) and non-native English speaker NNES EFL teachers' accents commonly heard in their educational context and their evaluations of these accents as pedagogical models. Specifically, the study seeks to ascertain whether a relationship exists between students' assumptions regarding the NES status of an EFL teacher and their evaluations of the teacher's accent as a suitable model for pronunciation. Results show that, in most cases, a moderate to strong correlation exists between these two variables, particularly among students who claim that having a NES teacher is desirable for the purpose of improving pronunciation

‘Fresh variants and formulations frozen’: Structural features of commercial signs in Oman

Cataloged from PDF version of article.This study analyses structural features of English on commercial signs on shop frontages throughout Oman. The study identifies frequently used structural features which appear to be undergoing a process of nativization (Schneider 2003) within the context of this text type. These include word class flexibility, the extensive use of the gerund at the end of noun phrases and the use of multiple verbs to itemize discrete activities. In some cases, features appear to serve the functions of economizing, or heightening the prominence or degree of explicitness of content; in other cases, structural features revealed the influence of Arabic. Limited evidence was also found for features previously identified in other lingua franca contexts such as the genitive structure with inanimate nouns and plural uncountable nouns

Building a Career in English: Users of English as an Additional Language in Academia in the Arabian Gulf

Cataloged from PDF version of article.This study investigates how a group of 30 multilingual academics, all users of English as an additional language (EAL) working at a private university in Oman, acquired discourse community membership in their disciplines through publishing in English, and the strategies they use to sustain the level of literacy needed to disseminate their research in refereed journals while working on the periphery. The participants, from the natural sciences, information technology, and economics, originate from countries in the surrounding region and, although many did not study in one of the traditional Anglophone countries, their academic literacy skills in English have been the cornerstones of their peripatetic academic careers. Participants describe their experience publishing from the periphery and perceptions of reviewer bias, and identify strategies used to overcome material shortcomings and linguistic challenges. The practice of language reuse to support the drafting of particular sections of an article is a recurring theme in many interviews. The article discusses the importance of conventional language in the sciences and the differing understandings of plagiarism among academics from the humanities and sciences. An implication from this study is the need for greater institutional support for the writing process in environments where most faculty members are EAL users

Geochemical and spectral characterization of naturally altered rock surfaces

The possibility of using the visible-near infrared region for compositional analysis of remotely sensed rock surfaces is studied. This would allow mapping rock type both on the Earth's surface and on other planetary surfaces. Reflectance spectroscopy, economic geology, optical depth determination, and X-ray diffraction mineralogy are discussed

Mentoring Nursing Leaders to Foster Frontline Accountability and Engagement in Continuous Performance/Process Improvement through the Utilization of Team Huddles and a Huddle Board

BACKGROUND: Establishing a connection for staff between the work being done and the associated implications and outcomes on patient safety and quality care delivery is not often a simple task for any nursing leader. Team huddles and huddle boards aim to establish and foster frontline accountability and engagement for continuous process and performance improvement. The setting of the project was a 17-bed acute care inpatient unit specializing in neurosciences within an academic medical center. Participants included nursing leaders and staff of the unit. METHODS: Consultation and mentorship in conjunction with standard work were utilized for this project. The intervention was developed utilizing Kotter’s model of change. Literature review to identify Lean management best practices in nursing/healthcare was conducted. INTERVENTION: Team huddle/huddle board rollout nursing leader behaviors standard work was created, along with a team huddle/huddle board score card and satisfaction survey. Consultation and mentorship provided to nursing leaders and team over eight-week project period. Nursing leader ability to implement interventions/processes assessed and team huddle and huddle board components scored weekly. A post-implementation satisfaction survey was administered to the nursing leaders and team. RESULTS: Nursing leaders implemented all interventions and processes defined in standard work within the eight-week project period. Team huddles and huddle board possessed 100% of required components by week six and were sustained through the end of the project period. Over 90% of project participants responded as ‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ on all six satisfaction survey items. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that nursing leaders can successfully implement team huddles and huddle boards through consultation and mentorship and the utilization of standard work. Team huddles and huddle boards can benefit individual and team dynamics such as information sharing, problem solving, work environment, and communication

Neuropsychiatric predictors of occupational persistence in HIV/AIDS.

It is well established that HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the virus responsible for AIDS, directly attacks the central nervous system, altering cognition, behavior, and affect, and can result in a full dementia syndrome. HIV-associated neurocognitive complications, along with a myriad of other health threats, resulted in significant disability and unemployment for those infected. However, the advent of more effective antiretroviral medications used in combinations, along with homologous improvements in morbidity and mortality, have allowed for people living with HIV/AIDS to return to work, albeit not without challenges. Even mild cognitive impairment has been shown to affect employability and level of occupational functioning. The focus of this dissertation was to develop an understanding of the impact of HIV-associated neurocognitive challenges, the most common neuropsychiatric expression of HIV, on occupational persistence. This study analyzed existing data from a parent study conducted in New York City. The sample consisted of 116 community dwelling HIV positive men and women who were actively seeking employment after being unemployed subsequent to learning of their HIV status. The research design was a longitudinal prospective cohort study testing a multilevel growth model with a two- nested-level structure. The growth model examined individual differences in occupational persistence over a two year time period, testing multiple potential neuropsychological predictors and covariates. Changes in individual growth profiles were investigated, and possible explanations for observed differences were tested. The analysis found that memory is the most potent neuropsychological predictor of occupational success, both in terms of returning to work in the first six months of the study (event), as well as persisting on the job over time (two years). The second most influential neuropsychological predictor was executive functioning, which significantly influenced occupational persistence over time and an accelerated growth trajectory. These central findings along with other significant control interactions are discussed. The study limitations are discussed, along with opportunities for future research. The relevance of these findings is explored, specifically addressing the implications for social work practice and social work education

Alien Registration- Buckingham, John L. (Millinocket, Penobscot County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/7640/thumbnail.jp

Alien Registration- Buckingham, George L. (Easton, Aroostook County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/26597/thumbnail.jp

Quantum Fluctuations of a Coulomb Potential as a Source of Flicker Noise

The power spectrum of quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field produced by an elementary particle is determined. It is found that in a wide range of practically important frequencies the power spectrum of fluctuations exhibits an inverse frequency dependence. The magnitude of fluctuations produced by a conducting sample is shown to have a Gaussian distribution around its mean value, and its dependence on the sample geometry is determined. In particular, it is demonstrated that for geometrically similar samples the power spectrum is inversely proportional to the sample volume. It is argued also that the magnitude of fluctuations induced by external electric field is proportional to the field strength squared. A comparison with experimental data on flicker noise measurements in continuous metal films is made.Comment: 11 pages, substantially corrected and extende