Density functional simulation of the BaZrO3 (011) surface structure

The atomic structure and charge redistribution of different terminations of BaZrO3 (011) surfaces have been studied using density functional simulations. We found that the O-terminated (011) flat surface had the smallest cleavage energy among (011) surfaces, but this value was still twice as large as for the formation of a pair of complimentary (001) surfaces. The density functional calculations allowed us to estimate the excess surface Gibb's free energy and to compare stability of different (011) surfaces as a function of chemical environment. In addition, we compared stability of BaZrO3 (011) surfaces with respect to BaZrO3 (001) surfaces. Within boundaries, where BaZrO3 does not decompose, only the Ba- and O-terminated (011) surfaces appeared to be stable. However, if (001) surfaces are also taken into consideration, the BaO-terminated (001) surface is the only stable surface among all considered (001) and (011) surfaces

BreastScreen Australia monitoring report 2011-2012

Presents the latest national statistics on BreastScreen, which aims to reduce illness and death resulting from breast cancer through organised screening to detect cases of unsuspected breast cancer in women, thus enabling early intervention. Summary BreastScreen Australia aims to reduce illness and death resulting from breast cancer through organised screening to detect cases of unsuspected breast cancer in women, thus enabling early intervention. Women aged 40 and over are eligible for free 2-yearly mammograms. This report is the latest in the BreastScreen Australia monitoring report series, which is published annually to provide regular monitoring of national participation and performance for BreastScreen Australia. The report provides data for the 2011-2012 period of participation in BreastScreen Australia, as well as the latest available data on incidence and mortality. The following statistics refer to the latest data available for women aged 50-69*. *As part of the 2013-14 Federal Budget, the Australian Government committed $55.7 million over 4 years to expand BreastScreen Australia\u27s target age range from 50-69 to 50-74. This report includes data from women screened when BreastScreen Australia actively targeted women aged 50-69. How many women were diagnosed with, or died from, breast cancer? In 2010, there were 7,449 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in Australian women aged 50-69. This is equivalent to 300 new cases per 100,000 women, and makes breast cancer the most common cancer affecting Australian women. Incidence has remained steady at around 300 per 100,000 women for over a decade. In 2011, a total of 1,130 women aged 50-69 died from breast cancer, equivalent to 44 deaths per 100,000 women. This is similar to the rate for 2010, and makes breast cancer the second most common cause of cancer-related death for Australian women. Breast cancer mortality fell from 68 deaths per 100,000 women in the target age range in 1991 (when BreastScreen Australia began) to 44 per 100,000 women in 2011. Incidence of breast cancer was lower for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women than for non-Indigenous women (221 compared with 266 new cases per 100,000 women), but mortality from breast cancer was higher (52 compared with 44 deaths per 100,000 women). How many women participated in BreastScreen Australia? In 2011-2012, more than 1.4 million women aged 50-69 had a screening mammogram through BreastScreen Australia, a participation rate of 55% for the target age group. This was unchanged from participation rates in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. Participation of Indigenous women was lower-38% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in the population participated compared with 54% of non-Indigenous women. How many women were recalled for further investigation? In 2012, 11% of women screening for the first time were recalled for further investigation; 3% of women attending subsequent screens were recalled. These are similar to rates for 2011. How many women had a small breast cancer detected? Small breast cancers (≤15 mm in diameter) are associated with better treatment options and improved survival. A high proportion of invasive breast cancers detected were small in 2012: 47% of invasive breast cancers detected in those attending their first screen, and 61% in those attending subsequent screens. These are similar to the figures for 2011

Analyzing the Welfare Impacts of Full-line Forcing Contracts

Theoretical investigations have examined both anti-competitive and efficiency-inducing rationales for vertical bundling, making empirical evidence important to understanding its welfare implications. We use an extensive dataset on full-line forcing contracts between movie distributors and video retailers to empirically measure the impact of vertical bundling on welfare. We identify and measure three primary effects of fullline forcing contracts: market coverage, leverage, and efficiency. We find that bundling increases market coverage and efficiency, but has little impact on one distributor gaining leverage over another. As a result, we estimate that full-line forcing contracts increased consumer and producer surplus in this application.

The Use of Full-line Forcing Contracts in the Video Rental Industry

We provide an empirical study of bundling in a supply chain, referred to as fullline forcing. We use an extensive dataset on contracts between video retailers and movie distributors to analyze the choices made on both sides of the market: which distributors offer full-line forcing contracts, which retailers take them up, and whether their decisions are profitable. Most large distributors offer full-line forcing contracts in our data. Our simulations indicate that their choices of which contracts to offer are profit-maximizing. However, many retailers prefer to utilize linear pricing contracts even when our model indicates that this may not be profit-maximizing.

Snatch trajectory of elite level girevoy (Kettlebell) sport athletes and its implications to strength and conditioning coaching

Girevoy sport (GS) has developed only recently in the West, resulting in a paucity of English scientific literature available. The aim was to document kettlebell trajectory of GS athletes performing the kettlebell snatch. Four elite GS athletes (age = 29-47 years, body mass = 68.3-108.1 kg, height 1.72-1.89 m) completed one set of 16 repetitions with a 32.1 kg kettlebell. Trajectory was captured with the VICON motion analysis system (250 Hz) and analysed with VICON Nexus (1.7.1). The kettlebell followed a ‘C’ shape trajectory in the sagittal plane. Mean peak velocity in the upwards phase was 4.03 ± 0.20 m s –1, compared to 3.70 ± 0.30 m s–1 during the downwards phase, and mean radial error across the sagittal and frontal planes was 0.022 ± 0.006 m. Low error in the movement suggests consistent trajectory is important to reduce extraneous movement and improve efficiency. While the kettlebell snatch and swing both require large anterior-posterior motion, the snatch requires the kettlebell to be held stationary overhead. Therefore, a different coaching application is required to that of a barbell snatch

Calibrating Function Point Backfiring Conversion Ratios Using Neuro-Fuzzy Technique

Software estimation is an important aspect in software development projects because poor estimations can lead to late delivery, cost overruns, and possibly project failure. Backfiring is a popular technique for sizing and predicting the volume of source code by converting the function point metric into source lines of code mathematically using conversion ratios. While this technique is popular and useful, there is a high margin of error in backfiring. This research introduces a new method to reduce that margin of error. Neural networks and fuzzy logic in software prediction models have been demonstrated in the past to have improved performance over traditional techniques. For this reason, a neuro-fuzzy approach is introduced to the backfiring technique to calibrate the conversion ratios. This paper presents the neuro-fuzzy calibration solution and compares the calibrated model against the default conversion ratios currently used by software practitioners

Introducing REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) to Enhance the Risk Adjusted Returns of the Risky Direct Real Estate Portfolio

Purpose: The paper has several objectives in mind: to examine whether or not a dynamic, ex ante AHP-SAA model and a dynamic Markowitz QP TAA model that utilizes de-smoothed data, produces an investment strategy, which further optimizes the risk-adjusted return of the pan-Asian real estate portfolio. It examines the required de-smoothing and Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) for the TAA. Design/Methodology/Approach: This paper reveals that the efficient frontier of risk-adjusted returns for direct real estate portfolio is enhanced by introducing REITS. The portfolio comprises the Pan-Asian office and industrial real estate markets for 13 major Asian cities, to which Asian REITS are added. Direct real estate total return data is in its “smooth” form while the REIT data is “de-smoothed” under the 1st and 4th order autoregressive model. The efficient frontier is constructed under a dynamic Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA) model, incorporating the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach. Secondly, the dynamic Markowitz quadratic-programming Tactical Asset Allocation (TAA) model is adopted to obtain a geographically and real estate sector diversified portfolio.Findings: The resulting efficient frontier with the de-smoothed data reveals a higher overall TR for every corresponding standard deviation as compared to the smoothed data. TAA for the de-smoothed returns would lie on the efficient frontier at the maximum Sharpe ratio of 1.44 with a TR on 15.30% and a standard deviation of 7.31%. Conversely, TAA for the smoothed returns would lie on the efficient frontier at the maximum Sharpe ratio of 1.31 with a lower TR of 14.2% and a standard deviation of 7.18%.Practical implications: This paper should serve as a meaningful guide to look at an alternative asset allocation process that can be effectively adopted and refined by practitioners and researchers. It enables asset managers/or investors to deploy expert opinions on an ex ante basis for a longer term dynamic SAA model and a short term dynamic Markowitz QP TAA model. Originality/Value: The paper offers insightful information for in adopting the AHP to develop a dynamic SAA and the dynamic Markowitz QP TAA model in utilizing de-smoothed direct real estate TR data. This paper is specific to a Pan Asian direct real estate portfolio of 13 Asian cities together with the introduction of Asian REITS, to provide greater diversification and risk-return benefits

An Empirical Analysis of Forecast Sharing in the Semiconductor Equipment Supply Chain

We study the demand forecast-sharing process between a buyer of customized production equipment and a set of equipment suppliers. Based on a large data collection we undertook in the semiconductor equipment supply chain, we empirically investigate the relationship between the buyer\u27s forecasting behavior and the supplier\u27s delivery performance. The buyer\u27s forecasting behavior is characterized by the frequency and magnitude of forecast revisions it requests (forecast volatility) as well as by the fraction of orders that were forecasted but never actually purchased (forecast inflation). The supplier\u27s delivery performance is measured by its ability to meet delivery dates requested by the customers. Based on a duration analysis, we are able to show that suppliers penalize buyers for unreliable forecasts by providing lower service levels. Vice versa, we also show that buyers penalize suppliers that have a history of poor service by providing them with overly inflated forecasts