Gauge R&R: An Effective Methodology for Determining the Adequacy of a New Measurement System for Micron-level Metrology

To compete in a global marketplace, manufacturers are increasingly turning to advanced manufacturing techniques to increase productivity and gain a competitive advantage. This trend requires management to be able to make decisions based on proper quantitative analysis of data. In the manufacturing process, control of variation with an increasingly high degree of precision demands an improved degree of measurement effectiveness. Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) is a collection of statistical methods (which includes the Gauge Repeatability and Reproducibility study) for the analysis of measurement system capability (Automotive Industry Action Group [AIAG], 2002; Smith, McCrary, & Callahan, 2007)

O∣|R∣|P∣|E -- A Data Semantics Driven Concurrency Control

This paper presents a concurrency control mechanism that does not follow a 'one concurrency control mechanism fits all needs' strategy. With the presented mechanism a transaction runs under several concurrency control mechanisms and the appropriate one is chosen based on the accessed data. For this purpose, the data is divided into four classes based on its access type and usage (semantics). Class $O$ (the optimistic class) implements a first-committer-wins strategy, class $R$ (the reconciliation class) implements a first-n-committers-win strategy, class $P$ (the pessimistic class) implements a first-reader-wins strategy, and class $E$ (the escrow class) implements a first-n-readers-win strategy. Accordingly, the model is called \PeFS. The selected concurrency control mechanism may be automatically adapted at run-time according to the current load or a known usage profile. This run-time adaptation allows \Pe to balance the commit rate and the response time even under changing conditions. \Pe outperforms the Snapshot Isolation concurrency control in terms of response time by a factor of approximately 4.5 under heavy transactional load (4000 concurrent transactions). As consequence, the degree of concurrency is 3.2 times higher.Comment: 20 pages, 7 tables, 15 figure

Convergence rates of the Allen-Cahn equation to mean curvature flow: A short proof based on relative entropies

We give a short and self-contained proof for rates of convergence of the Allen-Cahn equation towards mean curvature flow, assuming that a classical (smooth) solution to the latter exists and starting from well-prepared initial data. Our approach is based on a relative entropy technique. In particular, it does not require a stability analysis for the linearized Allen-Cahn operator. As our analysis also does not rely on the comparison principle, we expect it to be applicable to more complex equations and systems.Comment: 12 page

Exploring the Relationship Between Universal-Diverse Orientation and Personality

This study examined the relationship between universal-diverse orientation (UDO), a relatively new concept associated with multicultural awareness that is related to the recognition and acceptance of both similarities and differences among people (Miville et al., 1999), and personality. Participants were one hundred and one college students who completed a measure of UDO, the Miville-Guzman Universality-Diversity Scale (M-GUDS; Miville et al., 1999), and a well-established measure of normal personality, the California Psychological Inventory (CPI; Gough, 1987). Researchers hypothesized that significant relationships would exist between UDO and healthy attributes of personality. Initial results supported this hypothesis; however, post hoc analyses indicated that the demographic variables age and education were also significantly correlated with UDO, and these appear to moderate the relationship between UDO personality. Practical applications and implications for future research are offered. Vontress (1988, 1996) suggested that via the confluence of five cultures (i.e., universal, ecological, national, regional, racioethnic), human development produces includes idiographic differences as well as communal traits that transcend individual differences. Vontress went on to propose that an awareness of and appreciation for the differences and commonalities between and among cultures is important for effective human interaction. Miville et al. (1999) put a finer point on this idea. They believe that attentiveness toward and acceptance of group differences is critical for those who work with diverse persons from a variety of social-cultural backgrounds. Influenced by this Vontress, Miville et al. introduced the universal-diverse orientation (UDO) as ―an attitude toward all other persons that is inclusive yet differentiating in that similarities and differences are both recognized and accepted; the shared experience of being human results in a sense of connectedness with people and is associated with a plurality or diversity of interactions with others‖ (p. 292). Miville et al. (1999) reported that UDO is theoretically associated with personality functioning and wellness. Initial evidence has surfaced to support this link. For example, preliminary data indicate that UDO is related to attentiveness and responsiveness to others, openness to new experiences, interest and commitment to social and cultural activities of diverse people, and the ability to appreciate the impact of one\u27s own and others\u27 diversity (Constantine, et al., 2001; Thompson, Brossart, Carlozzi, & Miville, 2002; Yeh & Arora, 2003). Further, Miville et al. (1999) reported links between UDO and personality variables such as attitudes towards gender, well-being, mental health, autonomy, independence, and empathy--features that seem to be central to effectiveness in social interaction, such as is needed among counselors. Additionally, the UDO was negatively related to ratings of homophobia and dogmatism. Later, Strauss and Connerley (2003) and Thompson et al. (2002) added to the investigation of this hypothesized link. Strauss and Connerley found that the personality variables agreeableness (selflessness, tolerance, helpfulness) and openness to experience were positively and significantly associated with UDO. Thompson et al. also reported that UDO was linked to openness to experience. Together, these studies provide initial support for the Miville et al personality and UDO hypotheses. However, these studies used narrowly defined personality variables. Therefore, additional research is needed to expand and develops the UDO literature base. Because the UDO provides a framework for understanding and appreciating the foundational similarities and differences central to effective multicultural counseling, additional research is needed to evaluate this important construct. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to build upon and extend the research investigating the theorized relationship between UDO and personality. Specifically, we will examine the relationship between UDO, as measured by the Miville-Guzman Universality-Diversity Scale (M-GUDS; Miville et al., 1999) and selected variables from a well-established measure of personality traits, the California Personality Inventory (Gough, 1996) in a sample of students enrolled in courses offered in two university departments: counseling and mental health services, and psychology

Convergence rates of the Allen-Cahn equation to mean curvature flow: A short proof based on relative entropies

We give a short and self-contained proof for rates of convergence of the Allen--Cahn equation towards mean curvature flow, assuming that a classical (smooth) solution to the latter exists and starting from well-prepared initial data. Our approach is based on a relative entropy technique. In particular, it does not require a stability analysis for the linearized Allen--Cahn operator. As our analysis also does not rely on the comparison principle, we expect it to be applicable to more complex equations and systems