Bundle of Trouble: An Analysis of How the Lower Courts Have Handled Bundled Discounts Since LePage\u27s Inc. v. 3M, A

This Summary will analyze the reasoning utilized in the various district court decisions since LePage\u27s and will seek to illustrate how those courts have dealt with a lack of clear foundation as to how to handle bundling claims under the antitrust laws. Furthermore, this summary will attempt to determine specific reasons why the LePage\u27s decision has failed to provide a proper approach to determining the legality of bundled discounts. Finally, the Summary will conclude that the Supreme Court should grant certiorari in order to provide both the district and circuit courts with guidance as to how they should balance between both the procompetitive and anticompetitive effects of bundled discounts

Unconditional Continuous Variable Dense Coding

We investigate the conditions under which unconditional dense coding can be achieved using continuous variable entanglement. We consider the effect of entanglement impurity and detector efficiency and discuss experimental verification. We conclude that the requirements for a strong demonstration are not as stringent as previously thought and are within the reach of present technology

Employing Channel Probing to Derive End-of-Life Service Margins for Optical Spectrum Services

Optical Spectrum as a Service (OSaaS) spanning over multiple transparent optical network domains, can significantly reduce the investment and operational costs of the end-to-end service. Based on the black-link approach, these services are empowered by reconfigurable transceivers and the emerging disaggregation trend in optical transport networks. This work investigates the accuracy aspects of the channel probing method used in Generalized Signal to Noise Ratio (GSNR)-based OSaaS characterization in terrestrial brownfield systems. OSaaS service margins to accommodate impacts from enabling neighboring channels and end-of-life channel loads are experimentally derived in a systematic lab study carried out in the Open Ireland testbed. The applicability of the lab-derived margins is then verified in the HEAnet production network using a 400 GHz wide OSaaS. Finally, the probing accuracy is tested by depleting the GSNR margin through power adjustments utilizing the same 400 GHz OSaaS in the HEAnet live network. A minimum of 0.92 dB and 1.46 dB of service margin allocation is recommended to accommodate the impacts of enabling neighboring channels and end-of-life channel loads. Further 0.6 dB of GSNR margin should be allocated to compensate for probing inaccuracies

Robust transmission and reconstruction of fragile optical states

We propose a scheme by which signals carried by a coherent optical source close to the quantum noise limit can be amplified, making them more robust against losses, and then reconstructed at a remote site. The amplitude signal-to-noise ratio, the absolute amplitude noise level, and optical coherence are preserved. The scheme utilizes electro-optic feedforward and laser injection locking. We investigate the performance of the scheme as a quantum nondemolition device. [S1050-2947(97)02411-6]

THE CHANGING ECONOMIC SPATIAL STRUCTURE OF EUROPE

Many theoretical and practical works aim at describing the spatial structure of Europe, where spatial relations have undergone continuous change. This article gives an overview of models describing the spatial structure of Europe. Their diversity is highlighted by listing of these models, without any claim to completeness. Our study aims at describing the economic spatial structure of Europe with bi-dimensional regression analysis based on the gravitational model. With the help of the gravity model, we get a spatial image of the spatial structure of Europe. With these images, we can justify the appropriateness of the models based on different methodological backgrounds by comparing them with our results. Our goal is not to create and show a new model that overwrites the existing ones, but rather to contribute to understanding the European spatial structure through a new methodological approach

Physics of Solar Prominences: I - Spectral Diagnostics and Non-LTE Modelling

This review paper outlines background information and covers recent advances made via the analysis of spectra and images of prominence plasma and the increased sophistication of non-LTE (ie when there is a departure from Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium) radiative transfer models. We first describe the spectral inversion techniques that have been used to infer the plasma parameters important for the general properties of the prominence plasma in both its cool core and the hotter prominence-corona transition region. We also review studies devoted to the observation of bulk motions of the prominence plasma and to the determination of prominence mass. However, a simple inversion of spectroscopic data usually fails when the lines become optically thick at certain wavelengths. Therefore, complex non-LTE models become necessary. We thus present the basics of non-LTE radiative transfer theory and the associated multi-level radiative transfer problems. The main results of one- and two-dimensional models of the prominences and their fine-structures are presented. We then discuss the energy balance in various prominence models. Finally, we outline the outstanding observational and theoretical questions, and the directions for future progress in our understanding of solar prominences.Comment: 96 pages, 37 figures, Space Science Reviews. Some figures may have a better resolution in the published version. New version reflects minor changes brought after proof editin

Physics of Solar Prominences: II - Magnetic Structure and Dynamics

Observations and models of solar prominences are reviewed. We focus on non-eruptive prominences, and describe recent progress in four areas of prominence research: (1) magnetic structure deduced from observations and models, (2) the dynamics of prominence plasmas (formation and flows), (3) Magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) waves in prominences and (4) the formation and large-scale patterns of the filament channels in which prominences are located. Finally, several outstanding issues in prominence research are discussed, along with observations and models required to resolve them.Comment: 75 pages, 31 pictures, review pape

Overcoming degradation in spatial multiplexing systems with stochastic nonlinear impairments

Single-mode optical fibres now underpin telecommunication systems and have allowed continuous increases in traffic volume and bandwidth demand whilst simultaneously reducing cost- and energy-per-bit over the last 40 years. However, it is now recognised that such systems are rapidly approaching the limits imposed by the nonlinear Kerr effect. To address this, recent research has been carried out into mitigating Kerr nonlinearities to increase the nonlinear threshold and into spatial multiplexing to offer additional spatial pathways. However, given the complexity associated with nonlinear transmission in spatial multiplexed systems subject to random inter-spatial-path nonlinearities it is widely believed that these technologies are mutually exclusive. By investigating the linear and nonlinear crosstalk in few-mode fibres based optical communications, we numerically demonstrate, for the first time, that even in the presence of significant random mixing of signals, substantial performance benefits are possible. To achieve this, the impact of linear mixing on the Kerr nonlinearities should be taken into account using different compensation strategies for different linear mixing regimes. For the optical communication systems studied, we demonstrate that the performance may be more than doubled with the appropriate selection of compensation method for fibre characteristics which match those presented in the literature

GreeDi: Energy Efficient Routing Algorithm for Big Data on Cloud

The ever-increasing density in cloud computing parties, i.e. users, services, providers and data centres, has led to a significant exponential growth in: data produced and transferred among the cloud computing parties; network traffic; and the energy consumed by the cloud computing massive infrastructure, which is required to respond quickly and effectively to users requests. Transferring big data volume among the aforementioned parties requires a high bandwidth connection, which consumes larger amounts of energy than just processing and storing big data on cloud data centres, and hence producing high carbon dioxide emissions. This power consumption is highly significant when transferring big data into a data centre located relatively far from the users geographical location. Thus, it became high-necessity to locate the lowest energy consumption route between the user and the designated data centre, while making sure the users requirements, e.g. response time, are met. The main contribution of this paper is GreeDi, a network-based routing algorithm to find the most energy efficient path to the cloud data centre for processing and storing big data. The algorithm is, first, formalised by the situation calculus. The linear, goal and dynamic programming approaches used to model the algorithm. The algorithm is then evaluated against the baseline shortest path algorithm with minimum number of nodes traversed, using a real Italian ISP physical network topology