1,257 research outputs found
The Role of Visualization Tools in Spreadsheet Error Correction from a Cognitive Fit Perspective
Errors in spreadsheets pose a serious problem for organizations and academics. This has resulted in ongoing efforts to devise measures for reducing errors or efficient ways of correcting them. Visualization tools are often advertised as means for improving spreadsheet error correction performance. This study investigates the role of visualization tools in spreadsheet error correction. For this purpose, this study proposes a framework for classifying activities associated with spreadsheet error correction. The framework is to highlight the activities that are important for correcting different types of spreadsheet errors, and to show how different visualization tools can aid error correction by effectively supporting these activities. By identifying chaining as one of the most important activities from the framework, this study uses cognitive fit theory to examine the effects of a visualization tool that supports chaining on spreadsheet error correction performance. Experimental methodology is used to test the outcome of cognitive fit between the error correction task and the visualization tool. The results of the experiment highlight the importance of cognitive fit between the type of task and the visualization tool for attaining better performance. This study also provides guidelines for designing and developing tools for spreadsheet error correction
Quasi-ballistic transport in HgTe quantum-well nanostructures
The transport properties of micrometer scale structures fabricated from
high-mobility HgTe quantum-wells have been investigated. A special photoresist
and Ti masks were used, which allow for the fabrication of devices with
characteristic dimensions down to 0.45 m. Evidence that the transport
properties are dominated by ballistic effects in these structures is presented.
Monte Carlo simulations of semi-classical electron trajectories show good
agreement with the experiment.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures; minor revisions: replaced "inelastic mean free
path" with "transport mean free path"; corrected typing errors; restructered
most paragraphs for easier reading; accepted for publication in AP
High energy Coulomb-scattered electrons for relativistic particle beam diagnostics
A new system used for monitoring energetic Coulomb-scattered electrons as the
main diagnostic for accurately aligning the electron and ion beams in the new
Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) electron lenses is described in detail.
The theory of electron scattering from relativistic ions is developed and
applied to the design and implementation of the system used to achieve and
maintain the alignment. Commissioning with gold and 3He beams is then described
as well as the successful utilization of the new system during the 2015 RHIC
polarized proton run. Systematic errors of the new method are then estimated.
Finally, some possible future applications of Coulomb-scattered electrons for
beam diagnostics are briefly discussed.Comment: 16 pages, 23 figure
Hybrid Newton-type method for a class of semismooth equations
In this paper, we present a hybrid method for the solution of a class of composite semismooth equations encountered frequently in applications. The method is obtained by combining a generalized finite-difference Newton method to an inexpensive direct search method. We prove that, under standard assumptions, the method is globally convergent with a local rate of convergence which is superlinear or quadratic. We report also several numerical results obtained applying the method to suitable reformulations of well-known nonlinear complementarity problem
Variational study of the Holstein polaron
The paper deals with the ground and the first excited state of the polaron in
the one dimensional Holstein model. Various variational methods are used to
investigate both the weak coupling and strong coupling case, as well as the
crossover regime between them. Two of the methods, which are presented here for
the first time, introduce interesting elements to the understanding of the
nature of the polaron. Reliable numerical evidence is found that, in the strong
coupling regime, the ground and the first excited state of the self-trapped
polaron are well described within the adiabatic limit. The lattice vibration
modes associated with the self-trapped polarons are analyzed in detail, and the
frequency softening of the vibration mode at the central site of the small
polaron is estimated. It is shown that the first excited state of the system in
the strong coupling regime corresponds to the excitation of the soft phonon
mode within the polaron. In the crossover regime, the ground and the first
excited state of the system can be approximated by the anticrossing of the
self-trapped and the delocalized polaron state. In this way, the connection
between the behavior of the ground and the first excited state is qualitatively
explained.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, PRB 65, 14430
MAGE-A cancer/testis antigens inhibit MDM2 ubiquitylation function and promote increased levels of MDM4
Melanoma antigen A (MAGE-A) proteins comprise a structurally and biochemically similar sub-family of Cancer/Testis antigens that are expressed in many cancer types and are thought to contribute actively to malignancy. MAGE-A proteins are established regulators of certain cancer-associated transcription factors, including p53, and are activators of several RING finger-dependent ubiquitin E3 ligases. Here, we show that MAGE-A2 associates with MDM2, a ubiquitin E3 ligase that mediates ubiquitylation of more than 20 substrates including mainly p53, MDM2 itself, and MDM4, a potent p53 inhibitor and MDM2 partner that is structurally related to MDM2. We find that MAGE-A2 interacts with MDM2 via the N-terminal p53-binding pocket and the RING finger domain of MDM2 that is required for homo/hetero-dimerization and for E2 ligase interaction. Consistent with these data, we show that MAGE-A2 is a potent inhibitor of the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of MDM2, yet it does not have any significant effect on p53 turnover mediated by MDM2. Strikingly, however, increased MAGE-A2 expression leads to reduced ubiquitylation and increased levels of MDM4. Similarly, silencing of endogenous MAGE-A expression diminishes MDM4 levels in a manner that can be rescued by the proteasomal inhibitor, bortezomid, and permits increased MDM2/MDM4 association. These data suggest that MAGE-A proteins can: (i) uncouple the ubiquitin ligase and degradation functions of MDM2; (ii) act as potent inhibitors of E3 ligase function; and (iii) regulate the turnover of MDM4. We also find an association between the presence of MAGE-A and increased MDM4 levels in primary breast cancer, suggesting that MAGE-A-dependent control of MDM4 levels has relevance to cancer clinically
On the Importance of the Flare's Late Phase for the Solar Extreme Ultraviolet Irradiance
The new solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) irradiance observations from NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) have revealed a new class of solar flares that are referred to as late phase flares. These flares are characterized by the hot 2-5 MK coronal emissions (e.g., Fe XVI 33.5 nm) showing large secondary peaks that appear many minutes to hours after an eruptive flare event. In contrast, the cool 0.7-1.5 MK coronal emissions (e.g., Fe IX 17.1 nm) usually dim immediately after the flare onset and do not recover until after the delayed second peak of the hot coronal emissions. We refer to this period of 1-5 hours after the fl amrea sin phase as the late phase, and this late phase is uniquely different than long duration flares associated with 2-ribbon flares or large filament eruptions. Our analysis of the late phase flare events indicates that the late phase involves hot coronal loops near the flaring region, not directly related to the original flaring loop system but rather with the higher post-eruption fields. Another finding is that space weather applications concerning Earth s ionosphere and thermosphere need to consider these late phase flares because they can enhance the total EUV irradiance flare variation by a factor of 2 when the late phase contribution is included
Potential climatic transitions with profound impact on Europe
We discuss potential transitions of six climatic subsystems with large-scale impact on Europe, sometimes denoted as tipping elements. These are the ice sheets on Greenland and West Antarctica, the Atlantic thermohaline circulation, Arctic sea ice, Alpine glaciers and northern hemisphere stratospheric ozone. Each system is represented by co-authors actively publishing in the corresponding field. For each subsystem we summarize the mechanism of a potential transition in a warmer climate along with its impact on Europe and assess the likelihood for such a transition based on published scientific literature. As a summary, the ‘tipping’ potential for each system is provided as a function of global mean temperature increase which required some subjective interpretation of scientific facts by the authors and should be considered as a snapshot of our current understanding. <br/
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