32,969 research outputs found
Can one hear the shape of a saturation patch?
The theory of the acoustics of patchy-saturation in porous media is used to
analyze experimental data on wave velocity and attenuation in partially water
saturated limestones. It is demonstrated that the theory can be used to deduce
the value of V/A, the ratio of the volume to area of the water patch, and l_f,
the Poisson size of the water patch. One can ``hear'' the shape of a patch if
the properties of the rock and the measurement frequencies are such as to
satisfy the specific requirements for the validity of the theory
RFID in the supply chain: lessons from European early adopters
Purpose Radio frequency identification (RFID) is increasingly being presented as
a technology with the potential to improve supply chain performance, but
empirical evidence from early adopters is sparse. This paper aims to rectify
this scarcity and contribute to a more informed discussion in and between
academic and practitioner communities. Design/Methodology/Approach The paper is
based on a conceptual model of factors influencing the success of adoption
efforts. It then reports the results of a survey of 612 European supply chain
managers, focusing on the 128 respondents who have begun RFID trials. Findings A
significant influence on operational deployment is the presence of mandates from
key customers requiring the technology’s use. Customer mandates also impact the
anticipated benefits of a faster sales cycle and of enhanced systems
integration, though the relationships are complex. By contrast, greater cost
reduction benefits are anticipated in two industries where mandates are less
common – industrial goods and logistics. Perceived organizational innovativeness
positively impacts anticipated ROI from RFID. Companies adopting a ‘slap and
ship’ approach are less likely to anticipate pricing benefits than those
integrating RFID into enterprise systems Research Limitations/Implications The
limitations of the paper include the limited sample size of early adopters. In
addition, qualitative research is needed into RFID supply chain applications and
into different approaches to IS integration of RFID, to inform future survey
work. Practical Implications This paper informs supply chain managers and senior
decision makers who are examining the potential of RFID technology. It offers
guidance on what issues to look for when adopting this technology, approaches to
take and the benefits that might be accrued. Originality/Valuer This paper
offers a major contribution to understanding the current status of the adoption
of RFID in European supply chains. This understanding is put in the context of
the wider literatures on supply chain management and the adoption of information
systems and te
Systematic Review: Comparative Efficacy of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) to Other Augmentative Communication Systems in Increasing Social Communication Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Purpose: This systematic review aims to compare the efficacy of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) to other forms of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in increasing social communication skills in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Methods: A systematic review of the literature on PECS and other forms of AAC written between 2007 and 2018 was conducted. Studies were selected based on the established inclusionary and exclusionary criteria. The inclusionary criteria incorporated subjects with a formal diagnosis of ASD under the age of 18. Exclusionary criteria included individuals with severe sensory, motor, and/or other medical conditions that may have affected their use of PECS. 25 articles of varying study designs were critically appraised for validity and reliability to minimize bias.
Results: Results suggest that both PECS and other forms of AAC are conducive to improving social communication in children (\u3c18 \u3eyears) with ASD. Advancements in conversation initiation, requesting behaviors and joint attention were noted, resulting in a global increase in communication interactions. However, studies demonstrated mixed results with specific consideration of rate of acquisition, modality preference, and overall effectiveness of the system.
Conclusion: Synthesis of results from the 25 studies suggest that both PECS and other AAC systems show favorable outcomes for encouraging social-communicative behavior. The clinical implications of these results suggest the implementation of an AAC system may be client dependent. Single design designs were included in this review due to the lack of research in the areas of ASD and AAC. Further research of this comparison should be conducted on larger populations of children with ASD to improve clinical decision making to target social communication and increase generalizability.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/csdms/1000/thumbnail.jp
Increasing resilience of ATM networks using traffic monitoring and automated anomaly analysis
Systematic network monitoring can be the cornerstone for
the dependable operation of safety-critical distributed
systems. In this paper, we present our vision for informed
anomaly detection through network monitoring and
resilience measurements to increase the operators'
visibility of ATM communication networks. We raise the
question of how to determine the optimal level of
automation in this safety-critical context, and we present a
novel passive network monitoring system that can reveal
network utilisation trends and traffic patterns in diverse
timescales. Using network measurements, we derive
resilience metrics and visualisations to enhance the
operators' knowledge of the network and traffic behaviour,
and allow for network planning and provisioning based on
informed what-if analysis
Computation of Casimir Interactions between Arbitrary 3D Objects with Arbitrary Material Properties
We extend a recently introduced method for computing Casimir forces between
arbitrarily--shaped metallic objects [M. T. H. Reid et al., Phys. Rev.
Lett._103_ 040401 (2009)] to allow treatment of objects with arbitrary material
properties, including imperfect conductors, dielectrics, and magnetic
materials. Our original method considered electric currents on the surfaces of
the interacting objects; the extended method considers both electric and
magnetic surface current distributions, and obtains the Casimir energy of a
configuration of objects in terms of the interactions of these effective
surface currents. Using this new technique, we present the first predictions of
Casimir interactions in several experimentally relevant geometries that would
be difficult to treat with any existing method. In particular, we investigate
Casimir interactions between dielectric nanodisks embedded in a dielectric
fluid; we identify the threshold surface--surface separation at which
finite--size effects become relevant, and we map the rotational energy
landscape of bound nanoparticle diclusters
Sharing the vision:representing the matters of concern for design-led fledgling companies in Scotland
Design is being performed on an ever-increasing spectrum of complex practices arising in response to emerging markets and technologies, co-design, digital interaction, service design and cultures of innovation. This emerging notion of design has led to an expansive array of collaborative and facilitation skills to demonstrate and share how such methods can shape innovation. The meaning of these design things in practice can't be taken for granted as matters of fact, which raises a key challenge for design to represent its role through the contradictory nature of matters of concern. This paper explores an innovative, object-oriented approach within the field of design research, visually combining an actor-network theory framework with situational analysis, to report on the role of design for fledgling companies in Scotland, established and funded through the knowledge exchange hub Design in Action (DiA). Key findings and visual maps are presented from reflective discussions with actors from a selection of the businesses within DiA's portfolio. The suggestion is that any notions of strategic value, of engendering meaningful change, of sharing the vision of design, through design things, should be grounded in the reflexive interpretations of matters of concern that emerge
Principles for increased resilience in critical networked infrastructures
We propose a framework for deploying stronger, intelligent resilience mechanisms in mission-critical ATM networks over and above that offered by physical n-fold redundancy. We
compare the challenges facing power and data network resilience and discuss disruptive threats to real-world operations. Using recorded live data from an ATM data network we argue our proposed architecture with deployable, distributed on-demand anomaly detection and monitoring modules provides enhanced fail-secure versus current fail-safe resilience
Chewing up the wood-wide web : selective grazing on ectomycorrhizal fungi by collembola
This work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council (NE/C507510/1). We thank S. Van der Linde, A. Sim, L. Shivraj, and P. Parkin.Peer reviewedPublisher PD
Lorraine White and Loranelle Johnson in a Joint Junior Voice Recital
This is the program for the joint junior voice recital of mezzo-soprano Lorraine White and mezzo-soprano Loranelle Johnson. Pianist Phyllis Orr assisted White; pianist Dawne Miller assisted Johnson. The recital took place on November 20, 1975, in the Mabee Fine Arts Center Recital Hall
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