Applying Technology Forecasting to New Product Development Target Setting of LCD Panels

This chapter illustrates the Technology Forecasting using Data Envelopment Analysis (TFDEA) process on Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) performance characteristics from 1997 to 2012. The objective of this study is to forecast future state-of-the-arts (SOAs) specifications as well as to diagnose past technological advancement of the LCD industry. Appropriate characteristics were determined from a group of LCD technologists. Data was gathered from public databases and outlying data points were cross-referenced as a validity check. The TFDEA process is defined and its application to the dataset is described in detail. The results not only provide information on how LCD industry has evolved but also provide an insight on future NPD targets

Noncommutative Figa-Talamanca-Herz algebras for Schur multipliers

We introduce a noncommutative analogue of the Fig\'a-Talamanca-Herz algebra $A_p(G)$ on the natural predual of the operator space $\frak{M}_{p,cb}$ of completely bounded Schur multipliers on Schatten space $S_p$. We determine the isometric Schur multipliers and prove that the space $\frak{M}_{p}$ of bounded Schur multipliers on Schatten space $S_p$ is the closure in the weak operator topology of the span of isometric multipliers.Comment: 24 pages; corrected typo

Unusual T_c variation with hole concentration in Bi_2Sr_{2-x}La_xCuO_{6+\delta}

We have investigated the $T_c$ variation with the hole concentration $p$ in the La-doped Bi 2201 system, Bi$_2$Sr$_{2-x}$La$_x$CuO$_{6+\delta}$. It is found that the Bi 2201 system does not follow the systematics in $T_c$ and $p$ observed in other high-$T_c$ cuprate superconductors (HTSC's). The $T_c$ vs $p$ characteristics are quite similar to what observed in Zn-doped HTSC's. An exceptionally large residual resistivity component in the inplane resistivity indicates that strong potential scatterers of charge carriers reside in CuO$_2$ planes and are responsible for the unusual $T_c$ variation with $p$, as in the Zn-doped systems. However, contrary to the Zn-doped HTSC's, the strong scatter in the Bi 2201 system is possibly a vacancy in the Cu site.Comment: RevTeX, 3 figures, to be published in the Physical Review

Genome-enabled phylogeographic investigation of the quarantine pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 and screening for sources of resistance against its core effectors.

Phylogeographic studies inform about routes of pathogen dissemination and are instrumental for improving import/export controls. Genomes of seventeen isolates of the bacterial wilt and potato brown rot pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 (R3bv2), a select agent in the USA, were thus analyzed to get insight into the phylogeography of this pathogen. Thirteen of fourteen isolates from Europe, Africa, and Asia were found to belong to a single clonal lineage while isolates from South America were genetically diverse and carried ancestral alleles at the analyzed genomic loci consistent with a South American origin of R3bv2. The R3bv2 isolates share a core repertoire of thirty-one type III-secreted effector genes representing excellent candidates to be targeted with resistance genes in breeding programs to develop durable disease resistance. Towards this goal, 27 R3bv2 effectors were tested in eggplant, tomato, pepper, tobacco, and lettuce for induction of a hypersensitive-like response indicative of recognition by cognate resistance receptors. Fifteen effectors, eight of them core effectors, triggered a response in one or more plant species. These genotypes may harbor resistance genes that could be identified and mapped, cloned and expressed in tomato or potato, for which sources of genetic resistance to R3bv2 are extremely limited.National Science Foundatio

Notions of Infinity in Quantum Physics

In this article we will review some notions of infiniteness that appear in Hilbert space operators and operator algebras. These include proper infiniteness, Murray von Neumann's classification into type I and type III factors and the class of F{/o} lner C*-algebras that capture some aspects of amenability. We will also mention how these notions reappear in the description of certain mathematical aspects of quantum mechanics, quantum field theory and the theory of superselection sectors. We also show that the algebra of the canonical anti-commutation relations (CAR-algebra) is in the class of F{/o} lner C*-algebras.Comment: 11 page

Trainee teachers' use of blogs as private reflections for professional development

A collaborative research project between Sheffield Hallam University and Nottingham Trent University in the UK investigated the use of blogs with trainee teachers as an alternative to reflective paper-based diaries. An action research case study, involving focus groups of post-graduate (secondary) trainee teachers (one group from each University) was undertaken to determine attitudes and perceptions of blogging as an appropriate tool to support reflective professional development. The findings indicate that the use of blogs by the trainee teachers had a positive impact overall, and provide concrete evidence of their development as emerging professional teachers. Unlike traditional paper-based systems, blogs provided ongoing opportunities for the tutor to assist the trainees in their development as reflective practitioners. This paper seeks to share the findings of this research which the authors believe could be applicable to other areas of Higher Education.</p