Time in Quantum Geometrodynamics

We revisit the issue of time in quantum geometrodynamics and suggest a quantization procedure on the space of true dynamic variables. This procedure separates the issue of quantization from enforcing the constraints caused by the general covariance symmetries. The resulting theory, unlike the standard approach, takes into account the states that are off shell with respect to the constraints, and thus avoids the problems of time. In this approach, quantum geometrodynamics, general covariance, and the interpretation of time emerge together as parts of the solution of the total problem of geometrodynamic evolution.Comment: 17 pages, 0 figures, formatted with LaTex, IJMP-A in pres

Russian investment abroad. The basic flows and features

This paper is one of several studies done at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences ’ Insti-tute for World Economics ((IWE) under the CIS Strategic Research Project. A contract between the Hungarian Prime Minister's Office and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in the summer of 2007, allowed some new, wide-ranging thematic research into the post-Soviet space to be launched. The project entitled “Hungary’s CIS strategy with special regard to Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan ” gave new impetus to post-Soviet research in the IWE and its partner the Hungarian Academy of Sciences ’ Research In-stitute of Sociology. The new opportunity was important especially because the CIS or post-Soviet space had become a neglected area in Hungary over the previous 15 years and there was a research gap to fill. Meanwhile the post-Soviet space has been returning to the political agenda in the last year or two, due to rising ambitions in a strengthened Russia, sharp conflicts within the post-Soviet space, and worldwide problems of energy supply and prices. The research seeks to provide up-to-date answers to such emerging questions. The project sets out to cover a wide range of essential issues about the CIS space

Motivating Employees in the Latter Stages of their Careers at XYZ

This field project constructs an easy to follow process for motivating senior employees at XYZ. Cookie-cutter motivational techniques are unable to motivate each individual employee, with distinctive career aspirations. Motivation is difficult to sustain for long periods of time. The literature review stems from early motivational theories of Maslow and Herzberg, and streams into research of business conduct in the 21st century. The literature demonstrates various views on squeezing every bit of discretionary effort out of every employee, among a myriad of work disciplines and management styles. The review encompasses a number of books, studies and thesis describing their motivational techniques and observations. A survey conducted on the general population of the company provided meaningful data on the outlook of company’s employees, accenting their greatest motivational and demotivational factors. Freestyle comments were analyzed further, to determine motivational gaps in the company policy. The survey results identified the most pressing motivational needs at XYZ. In general, employees at XYZ felt that they were adequately motivated to work, however, in order to have sustainability and growth; a number of factors were featured and prioritized. The data analysis and results sections demonstrate the techniques needed to increase and sustain motivational growth at XYZ. Senior leadership and first line management were addressed separately and given different focus points. The focus priorities for senior leadership were identified as: 1. Improve communication and involve employees in decision-making process; 2. Squash rumors and keep the information flowing; 3. Renovate the appraisal process; 4. Cater to the needs of the aging workforce. The focus priorities for first line managers were different: 1. Appraise employees carefully and often; 2. Empower employees to run their lives at work; 3. Provide learning opportunity for your staff; 4. Communicate effectively with your staff; 5. Assess individual motivational needs and motivate accordingly; 6. Add fun and variety to work. In conclusion, the research showed that there were easily identifiable motivational gaps at XYZ, and with senior management commitment, XYZ could reap great benefits with a highly motivated workforce

Vacuum Field Emission Devices with Integrated CNTs

This research looks at the design and fabrication of sub 100-nm carbon nanotube-based vacuum field emission devices. The devices in this project are based in the Fowler-Nordheim emission of electrons, which allow the devices to hold radiation hardened capabilities due the absence of a semiconductor channel. On top of the radiation hardened capabilities of the Vacuum FETS, the emitter material, SWCNT (Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes) themselves hold radiation hardened capabilities. SWCNT could also be the nanomaterial that replaces silicon in CMOS FETs (Field-Effect- Transistors). Through extensive preparation and testing, a field emission device based on carbon nanotube emitters with an effectiv anode-to-cathode distance of 100 nm was designed, fabricated, and tested

Mathematical and Experimental Analysis of Microbicide Vaginal Gels

HIV is a growing concern worldwide. With slow progress in the development of a vaccine, researchers have turned to alternate methods of preventing the spreading of HIV as a result of unprotected sexual intercourse. Developing a mechanism capable of protecting the vaginal or rectal epithelium from sexually transmitted pathogens can be an effective tool in the prevention of HIV infection. One such tool can come in the form of a microbicide gel, which provides a physical barrier and acts as a delivery vehicle for its active ingredient. In order for the microbicide to be an effective barrier and delivery vehicle, it must have the capability to coat the epithelium for a specific amount of time and sustain its structural integrity under the influence of gravity and other perturbation forces. In addition, to be used as a drug delivery vehicle the microbicide must serve the following functions: coat the surface completely without leaving any of the surface exposed, stay on the surface while influenced by external forces such as gravity and squeezing, and be able to contain potent concentrations of one or more active microbicidal ingredients. Many currently available vaginal spermicidal gels are applied using a syringe-like applicator. After vaginal application, several physical forces will perturb the gel: gravity, squeezing, surface tension and shearing. In this document I will outline the work that has been completed, for an original PhD dissertation, on the mathematical and experimental analysis of microbicide vaginal gels. This document contains an in-depth discussion of the methods taken to satisfy the following engineering goals: 1. An instrument/method for conducting gravity-induced flow experiments and obtaining spreading characteristics along with surface topography. 2. A numerical solution for a non-linear, second-order, partial differential equation that governs the evolution of the free surface of a spreading fluid. 3. A derivation and numerical solution for the 3-D power-law evolution equation. 4. A derivation and numerical solution for the 3-D Ellis evolution equation. All experimental and computational simulations presented in this study involve a finite bolus of fluid, with non-Newtonian viscous properties, spreading on an inclined plane under the influence of gravity. Using the two numerical models presented in this document, I conducted an in-depth parameter and parameter sensitivity analysis of the power-law model, and a parameter study of the Ellis model. Combining the experimental data with computational simulations allowed me to make the following conclusions: 1. Accounting for lateral slumping in the computational simulation will improve the theory's agreement with experiment. 2. Approximating the initial condition to disregard complex curvatures on the free surface, and only consider gross geometric parameters, will not compromise theoretical model's agreement with experiment. 3. The 3-D power-law model provides a sufficient approximation of Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) spreading under the influence of gravity, for gels at 2.4-3.0% HEC concentration. Furthermore, implementing a constitutive equation that accounts for the low-shear Newtonian plateau (Ellis constitutive eq.) does not improve the models agreement with experiment enough to justify its added complexity. In conclusion, the following work provides an original experiment and a computational simulation of non-Newtonian fluid spreading. It is my hope that this work can be used by researchers in the field of microbicide development and any other scenario where free surface flow of non-Newtonian fluids is applicable