Constant current source for converting absolute temperatures to analog voltages

Circuit configuration consisting of matched differential amplifier, temperature compensated zener diode, and low pinchoff-voltage field effect transistor provides accurate and stable current supply for temperature sensor devices

Dark Matter annihilation energy output and its effects on the high-z IGM

We study the case of DM self annihilation, in order to assess its importance as an energy injection mechanism, to the IGM in general, and to the medium within particular DM haloes. We consider thermal relic WIMP particles with masses of 10GeV and 1TeV and we analyse in detail the clustering properties of DM in a $\Lambda$CDM cosmology, on all hierarchy levels, from haloes and their mass function, to subhaloes and the DM density profiles within them, considering adiabatic contraction by the presence of a SMBH. We then compute the corresponding energy output, concluding that DM annihilation does not constitute an important feedback mechanism. We also calculate the effects that DM annihilation has on the IGM temperature and ionization fraction, and we find that assuming maximal energy absorption, at z ~ 10, for the case of a 1TeV WIMP, the ionization fraction could be raised to $6 \times 10^{-4}$ and the temperature to 10K, and in the case of a 10GeV WIMP, the IGM temperature could be raised to 200K and the ionization fraction to $8 \times 10^{-3}$. We conclude that DM annihilations cannot be regarded as an alternative reionization scenario. Regarding the detectability of the WIMP through the modifications to the 21 cm differential brightness temperature signal ($\delta$Tb), we conclude that a thermal relic WIMP with mass of 1TeV is not likely to be detected from the global signal alone, except perhaps at the 1-3mK level in the frequency range 30MHz < $\nu$ < 35MHz corresponding to 40 < z < 46. However, a 10GeV mass WIMP may be detectable at the 1-3mK level in the frequency range 55MHz < $\nu$ < 119MHz corresponding to 11 < z < 25, and at the 1-10mK level in the frequency range 30MHz < $\nu$ < 40MHz corresponding to 35 < z < 46.Comment: 23 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Theory of PbTiO3, BaTiO3, and SrTiO3 Surfaces

First-principles total-energy calculations are carried out for (001) surfaces of the cubic perovskite ATiO3 compounds PbTiO3, BaTiO3, and SrTiO3. Both AO-terminated and TiO2-terminated surfaces are considered, and fully-relaxed atomic configurations are determined. In general, BaTiO3 and SrTiO3 are found to have a rather similar behavior, while PbTiO3 is different in many respects because of the partially covalent character of the Pb-O bonds. PbTiO3 and BaTiO3 are ferroelectrics, and the influence of the surface upon the ferroelectric distortions is studied for the case of a tetragonal ferroelectric distortion parallel to the surface. The surface relaxation energies are found to be substantial, i.e., many times larger than the bulk ferroelectric well depth. Nevertheless, the influence of the surface upon the ferroelectric order parameter is modest, and is qualitatively as well as quantitatively different for the two materials. Surface energies and electronic properties are also computed. It is found that for BaTiO3 and SrTiO3 surfaces, both AO-terminated and TiO2-terminated surfaces can be thermodynamically stable, whereas for PbTiO3 only the PbO surface termination is stable.Comment: 13 pages with 3 postscript figures embedded. Uses REVTEX and epsf macros. Also available at http://www.physics.rutgers.edu/~dhv/preprints/index.html#bm_pbsur

COMMODITY R&D, PATENTING, AND PROMOTION

There is considerable evidence of high returns to public investments in agricultural R&D, but because intellectual property in agriculture is considered a public good, little R&D investment by growers themselves. This study investigates the potential for growers to increase commodity sales through product research, development, patenting and promotion in a dynamic commodity-market model. Theoretical hypotheses derived from the solution to this model are tested in an empirical example from Washington apples. Estimation results show that, despite significant spillovers to research and promotion expenditure, growers can improve the effectiveness of generic commodity promotion by funding R&D programs as well.Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

LOCATIONAL DETERMINANTS OF US FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN FOOD AND KINDRED PRODUCTS IN LATIN AMERICA

As US investment in food processors abroad grows, understanding the factors causing this growth is critical to US trade and investment policy. This study uses an ownership / location / internalization approach in finding market size and trade openness important determinants of US foreign direct investment in Latin American food and kindred products.Multinational Firms, International Business, Economic Development, Agribusiness, International Development,

COMMODITY R&D AND PROMOTION

Considerable evidence exists of high returns to public and private investment in commodity research and development programs. This study investigates the potential returns to product research, development, and marketing in a dynamic commodity-market model. Theoretical hypotheses derived from the solution to this model are tested in an empirical example of Washington apples. Estimation results show that, despite significant spillovers to research and promotion expenditure in this industry, there is nonetheless considerable latitude to increase annual sales.advertising, commodity, innovation, optimal control, Poisson model, research and development, Marketing, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, L15, M37, Q13, Q16,

Prevention and early management of in-hospital cardiac arrest: a challenge for nursing educators

Cardiac arrest can be defined as the heart’s inability to effectively eject blood out due to either an electrical or mechanical failure. This condition poses an immediate threat to life and is always considered to be a medical emergency. In Western countries, cardiac arrest is continuously highlighted as one of the leading causes of in-hospital death and the latest research suggests that survival rates after suffering one of these episodes still remain below 20%. Consequently, prevention and effective early management of in-hospital cardiac arrest constitute the basis of international algorithms for saving lives