Analytic height correlation function of rough surfaces derived from light scattering

We derive an analytic expression for the height correlation function of a rough surface based on the inverse wave scattering method of Kirchhoff theory. The expression directly relates the height correlation function to diffuse scattered intensity along a linear path at fixed polar angle. We test the solution by measuring the angular distribution of light scattered from rough silicon surfaces, and comparing extracted height correlation functions to those derived from atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results agree closely with AFM over a wider range of roughness parameters than previous formulations of the inverse scattering problem, while relying less on large-angle scatter data. Our expression thus provides an accurate analytical equation for the height correlation function of a wide range of surfaces based on measurements using a simple, fast experimental procedure.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, 1 tabl

Simultaneous Spin-Charge Relaxation in Double Quantum Dots

We investigate phonon-induced spin and charge relaxation mediated by spin-orbit and hyperfine interactions for a single electron confined within a double quantum dot. A simple toy model incorporating both direct decay to the ground state of the double dot and indirect decay via an intermediate excited state yields an electron spin relaxation rate that varies non-monotonically with the detuning between the dots. We confirm this model with experiments performed on a GaAs double dot, demonstrating that the relaxation rate exhibits the expected detuning dependence and can be electrically tuned over several orders of magnitude. Our analysis suggests that spin-orbit mediated relaxation via phonons serves as the dominant mechanism through which the double-dot electron spin-flip rate varies with detuning.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, Supplemental Material (2 pages, 2 figures

On quantifying fault patterns of the mesh interconnect networks

One of the key issues in the design of Multiprocessors System-on-Chip (MP-SoCs), multicomputers, and peerto- peer networks is the development of an efficient communication network to provide high throughput and low latency and its ability to survive beyond the failure of individual components. Generally, the faulty components may be coalesced into fault regions, which are classified into convex and concave shapes. In this paper, we propose a mathematical solution for counting the number of common fault patterns in a 2-D mesh interconnect network including both convex (|-shape, | |-shape, ý-shape) and concave (L-shape, Ushape, T-shape, +-shape, H-shape) regions. The results presented in this paper which have been validated through simulation experiments can play a key role when studying, particularly, the performance analysis of fault-tolerant routing algorithms and measure of a network fault-tolerance expressed as the probability of a disconnection

The role of self-compassion and cognitive flexibility in predicting the post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in individuals exposed to Trauma

Background and aims: Psychological factors can mediate relation between experience of traumatic events and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Given the importance of this issue, this study was conducted in order to determine the role of self-compassion and cognitive flexibility in predicting the symptoms of PTSD in people exposed to Trauma. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in correlation. The studied sample included 120 individuals, selected by stratified randomly sampling from traumatized individuals sponsored by Komitee Emdad located in Ghilan garb city at Second half of 2015 year. The questionnaires of Demographic information, Mississippi post-traumatic Stress Disorder Scale, Self-compassion (SCS) and cognitive abilities (CAQ (was used for gathering data. Collected data were analyzed by Pearson correlation and multiple regression tests using SPSS. Results: The results of Pearson correlation coefficients showed that symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder have a negative relationship with self-compassion (r=-0.22; P<0.05), and cognitive flexibility (r=-0.63; P<0.001). The Results of regression analysis showed that self-compassion and cognitive flexibility explain about 45% of variance of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that self-compassion against disasters and cognitive flexibility can protect a person from symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder play role in the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in people exposed to trauma contribute

Self-esteem, general and sexual self-concepts in blind people

Background: People with visual disability have lower self-esteem and social skills than sighted people. This study was designed to describe self-esteem and general and sexual self-concepts in blind people. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2013-2014. In this study, 138 visually impaired people participated from Isfahan Province Welfare Organization and were interviewed for measuring of self-esteem and self-concept using Eysenck self-esteem and Rogers’ self-concept questionnaires. The correlation between above two variables was measured using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software by Pearson correlation test. Results: Mean [± standard deviation (SD)] age of patients was 30.9 ± 8 years. The mean (±SD) of general self-concept score was 11 ± 5.83. The mean (±SD) of self-esteem score was 16.62 ± 2.85. Pearson correlation results showed a significant positive correlation between self-esteem and general self-concept (r = 0.19, P = 0.025). The mean of sexual self-concept scores in five subscales (sexual anxiety, sexual self-efficacy, sexual self-esteem, sexual fear, and sexual depression) were correspondingly 11 ± 4.41, 19.53 ± 4.53, 12.96 ± 4.19, 13.48 ± 1.76, and 5.38 ± 2.36. Self-esteem and self-concept had significant positive correlation with sexual anxiety (r = 0.49; P < 0.001) (r =-.23; P < 0.001) and sexual fear (r = 0.25; P = 0.003) (r = 0.18; P = 0.02) and negative correlation with sexual self-efficacy (r =-0.26; P = 0.002) (r =-0.28; P = 0.001) and sexual-esteem (r =-0.34; P < 0.001) (r =-0.34; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Self-esteem and self-concept had significant correlation with sexual anxiety and sexual fear; and negative correlation with sexual self-efficacy and sexual-esteem. © 2015 Journal of Research in Medical Sciences

Assessing the readiness of contractors in implementing low carbon construction in Penang

Global warming or climate change is becoming the main concerns of humanity as it leads to an increase in Earth’s temperature and rise in the oceans’ level which is due to the increase of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gasses consists of water vapour, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N20), tropospheric ozone (O3) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Among the gasses, CO2 is the highest and easiest gas to measure as it is emitted from human economic activities with construction industry one of the major contributors of carbon emissions. Low carbon construction is the reduction of carbon emissions from the construction activities during construction process. For the implementation of low carbon construction in our construction industry, the contractors need to be ready and have knowledge to adopt low carbon construction industry. The purpose of this research is to determine the level of contractors’ knowledge towards low carbon construction, determining the level of readiness towards low carbon construction and proposing a checklist for the contractors towards low carbon construction in Penang. This research employed questionnaire survey to analyse the level of knowledge and readiness of the contractors on low carbon construction. As a conclusion, the implementation of low carbon practices by the contractors in Penang is good, therefore established that G7 contractors implement low carbon practices throughout their construction. However, the results and findings indicated that the average mean score on the level of readiness of contractors towards low carbon construction is 3.59. The result was perceived as moderate. Therefore, it shows that the contractors are in a moderate readiness to implement low carbon construction fully in their construction projects. A checklist was established by summarizing the highest low carbon activities from each category which were sustainable site planning and management, materials and resources, waste management, water efficiency and energy efficiency, and was perceived as good. Keywords: Climate change, greenhouse gases, carbon emission, low carbon construction, contractors’ readiness

Effects of pioglitazone on erectile dysfunction in sildenafil poor-responders: A randomized, controlled study

Purpose. The effects of pioglitazone on sildenafil responsiveness in men with erectile dysfunction (ED) and a history of poor response to sildenafil were assessed. Methods. In a double-blinded study, 38 men aged 47 ± 1.5 years with moderate-tosevere ED and poor response to sildenafil were randomly assigned to take a premedication of pioglitazone 30 mg (n=19) or placebo (n=19) once daily for 9 weeks along with on-demand use of sildenafil during the last month of pioglitazonetreatment. Erectile function (EF) scores, assessed by EF domain of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), along with responses to Global Assessment Questions (GAQs) were major outcome measures. Serum levels of total testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), glucose, lipid profile and liver function test were minor outcome measures. Results. Pioglitazone significantly improved major outcome measures compared with placebo. The decrease from baseline of total cholesterol level was more in pioglitazonethan in placebo-treated groups. In 84 (32 out of 38) of the sildenafil poor-responders, at least one of the associated risk factors of ED was found. There was undiagnosed hypercholesterolemia in 34 of the subjects. Serum levels of T, DHEAS, glucose and other parameters remained unchanged in both groups. The intervention was well tolerated. Conclusions. Pioglitazone increased sildenafil response to improve ED of men with prior sildenafil failure and seems to be safe based on the present preliminary study. This improvement is likely regardless of fasting glucose and sex hormones levels

Studying young people’ views on deployment of renewable energy sources in Iran through the lenses of Social Cognitive Theory

Renewable energy sources (RES) have potentials to address goals of climate change mitigation at the global level. Iran has abundant RES potentials and investment into renewable energy sources can contribute to its socio-economic development and to diversification of its energy mix. Economic and technical capacities but also human factors, such as stakeholders’ views, public and social acceptance, as well as willingness to use RES, willingness to pay for their deployment and to participate in decision-making processes on energy transition, are crucial factors for deployment of RES at scale. These human factors impact development and implementation of energy transition at the national and local governance levels. Deployment of new technology and energy transition can lead to conflicting views, believes and risks perceptions among involved stakeholders but also among people affected by deployment of new technology infrastructure deployment. To be sustainable and acceptable by all social groups, such process should be based on understanding of positions of different stakeholders and development of compromise solutions. It is crucial to understand the views of young people on deployment of RES as young people represent a significant share of population and are future decision makers. Their support and willingness to use RES will be a significant driver for RES deployment in short and medium term. Based on socio cognitive theory this paper examines the patters of behavior of young adults in relation to energy use. The results show positive influence of self-rewarding to encourage young adults to participate in energy transition. Another important driver is expectation of social outcome, which involves existing social norms in the community. Trust to the source of information is another important driver and the level of information about RES has an important influence on the willingness to use them

Non-linear Finite-Time Tracking Control of Uncertain Robotic Manipulators Using Time-Varying Disturbance Observer-Based Sliding Mode Method

In this paper, a time-varying chattering-free disturbance observer-based position tracking control law of serial robotic manipulators is presented to track a reference signal in a finite time. The key idea is to employ a positive-increasing function associated with the control/observer objectives to improve the control performance. First, the model of an uncertain robotic manipulator is presented as the case study of the proposed strategy. Then, the time-varying form of the robotic manipulator model is obtained to provide finite-time boundedness using the first-order sliding mode method. Moreover, without any knowledge about the upper bounds of the uncertainties, a reduced-order observer is presented to estimate the uncertainties in a finite time. Subsequently, a disturbance observer-based finite-time position tracking control law is designed. The time-varying gains are provided to converge the position tracking error to a neighborhood of zero in a finite time. Finally, comparative simulations are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme compared to other existing strategies