Test Beams and Polarized Fixed Target Beams at the NLC

A conceptual program to use NLC beams for test beams and fixed target physics is described. Primary undisrupted polarized beams would be the most simple to use, but for NLC, the disrupted beams are of good enough quality that they could also be used, after collimation of the low energy tails, for test beams and fixed target physics. Pertinent issues are: what is the compelling physics, what are the requirements on beams and running time, and what is the impact on colliding beam physics running. A list of physics topics is given; one topic Moller Scattering is treated in more depth.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, Fifth International Linear Collider Workshop (LCWS2000), Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, Illinois, US, October 24-28, 200

Customer Relationship Management in a Public Cloud environment – Key influencing factors for European enterprises

Customer Relationship Management is crucial influencing factor for competitiveness in saturated markets. Public cloud-computing services for customer-relationship management provide many benefits. However, their usage in Europe is reluctant. Our research identifies several core and sub-influence factors and reveals how strong they are. Enterprises strive for covering risks in terms of safety and security. Further important influencing factors are functional completeness and integration into the existing environment. Our research provides new knowledge of the use of public cloud services in general and in particular for the use of customer relationship in a public cloud environment

Design of Dynamic Pricing Systems for Online-Retailer\u27s-Core Functionalities and Qualitative Insights

The intense competition in e-commerce makes many small- and medium-sized retailers striving for dynamic pricing. Therefore, the core functionalities of a dynamic pricing system are investigated using single case study research method. They embrace both external and internal factors for price calculation. First, there are functions to get external information such as price information from competing retailers. They provide important information for calculation and forecasting. Second, internal oriented functions exist, which analyse personal information such as the birthday in order to influence the buyers’ decisions in a positive way

Passivrauchen in der Schweizer Bevölkerung 2009

Die Berichte zu diesem Thema geben Auskunft über die Passivrauchexposition der Schweizer Wohnbevölkerung und deren subjektiv empfundene Belästigung an verschiedenen Orten (Arbeitsort, Gaststätten, Veranstaltungsorte usw.). Des Weiteren wurden Fragen zur Akzeptanz von Massnahmen zum Schutz der Nichtrauchenden in öffentlichen Räumen erhoben. Ebenfalls wurde das Wissen bezüglich der Schädlichkeit des Passivrauchens erfrag

A novel alveolar Krebs cycle-triggered CO2 sensing mechanism regulates regional pulmonary ventilation.

Pulmonary perfusion disorders provoke atelectasis in order to minimize ventilation/perfusion mismatch. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Because intraalveolar CO2 concentration ([CO2]iA) declines as a consequence of poor pulmonary perfusion we postulated the existence a novel alveolar CO2-sensing mechanism which adapts the ventilation to perfusion. Real-time fluorescence imaging of rat lungs revealed that low [CO2]iA decreased cytosolic and increased mitochondrial Ca2+ in alveolar epithelial cells (AEC), leading to reduction of surfactant secretion and alveolar ventilation. Mitochondrial inhibition by ruthenium red or rotenone blocked the hypocapnia-induced responses. In cultured Type 2 AEC hypocapnia decreased cytosolic Ca2+ independently from pH and increased the NADH production, the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and subsequently the mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. All responses were completely blocked by the gene knockdown of the NADH producing Krebs cycle enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase. Furthermore, ligature of the pulmonary artery of rabbits decreased alveolar ventilation, surfactant secretion, and lung compliance. Addition of 5% CO2 to the inspiratory gas inhibited all responses. Accordingly, we provide evidence for a novel CO2-sensing mechanism of AEC regulated by the Krebs cycle activity in terms of a negative feedback loop adapting surfactant secretion and thus regional ventilation to pulmonary perfusion

Value Creation in Connectionist Artificial Intelligence – A Research Agenda

Artificial Intelligence enables innovative applications, and applications based on Artificial Intelligence are increasingly important for all aspects of the Digital Economy. However, the question of how AI resources such as tools and data can be linked to provide an AI-capability and create business value is still open. Therefore, this paper identifies the value-creating mechanisms of connectionist artificial intelligence using a capability-oriented view and points out the connections to different kinds of business value. The analysis supports an agenda that identifies areas that need further research to understand the mechanism of value creation in connectionist artificial intelligence