9,609 research outputs found
A deliberative model for self-adaptation middleware using architectural dependency
A crucial prerequisite to externalized adaptation is an understanding of how components are interconnected, or more particularly how and why they depend on one another. Such dependencies can be used to provide an architectural model, which provides a reference point for externalized adaptation. In this paper, it is described how dependencies are used as a basis to systems' self-understanding and subsequent architectural reconfigurations. The approach is based on the combination of: instrumentation services, a dependency meta-model and a system controller. In particular, the latter uses self-healing repair rules (or conflict resolution strategies), based on extensible beliefs, desires and intention (EBDI) model, to reflect reconfiguration changes back to a target application under examination
Fast Single-Charge Sensing with an rf Quantum Point Contact
We report high-bandwidth charge sensing measurements using a GaAs quantum
point contact embedded in a radio frequency impedance matching circuit
(rf-QPC). With the rf-QPC biased near pinch-off where it is most sensitive to
charge, we demonstrate a conductance sensitivity of 5x10^(-6) e^(2)/h Hz^(-1/2)
with a bandwidth of 8 MHz. Single-shot readout of a proximal few-electron
double quantum dot is investigated in a mode where the rf-QPC back-action is
rapidly switched.Comment: related papers available at http://marcuslab.harvard.ed
ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE FOR WORLD AGRICULTURE
This paper challenges the hypothesis that negative yield effects in key temperate grain producing regions of the world resulting from global climate change would have a serious impact on world food production. Model results demonstrate that even with concurrent productivity losses in the major grain producing regions of the world, global warming will not seriously disrupt world agricultural markets. Country/regional crop yield changes induce interregional adjustments in production and consumption that serve to buffer the severity of climate change impacts on world agriculture and result in relatively modest impacts on world agricultural prices and domestic economies.Environmental Economics and Policy,
Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate.
BACKGROUND: Cleft lip and cleft palate are common birth defects, affecting about one baby of every 700 born. Feeding these babies is an immediate concern and there is evidence of delay in growth of children with a cleft as compared to those without clefting. In an effort to combat reduced weight for height, a variety of advice and devices are recommended to aid feeding of babies with clefts. OBJECTIVES: This review aims to assess the effects of these feeding interventions in babies with cleft lip and/or palate on growth, development and parental satisfaction. SEARCH STRATEGY: The following electronic databases were searched: the Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register (to 27 October 2010), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 4), MEDLINE via OVID (1950 to 27 October 2010), EMBASE via OVID (1980 to 27 October 2010), PsycINFO via OVID (1950 to 27 October 2010) and CINAHL via EBSCO (1980 to 27 October 2010). Attempts were made to identify both unpublished and ongoing studies. There was no restriction with regard to language of publication. SELECTION CRITERIA: Studies were included if they were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of feeding interventions for babies born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate up to the age of 6 months (from term). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Studies were assessed for relevance independently and in duplicate. All studies meeting the inclusion criteria were data extracted and assessed for validity independently by each member of the review team. Authors were contacted for clarification or missing information whenever possible. MAIN RESULTS: Five RCTs with a total of 292 babies, were included in the review. Comparisons made within the RCTs were squeezable versus rigid feeding bottles (two studies), breastfeeding versus spoon-feeding (one study) and maxillary plate versus no plate (two studies). No statistically significant differences were shown for any of the primary outcomes when comparing bottle types, although squeezable bottles were less likely to require modification. No difference was shown for infants fitted with a maxillary plate compared to no plate. However, there was some evidence of an effect on weight at 6 weeks post-surgery in favour of breastfeeding when compared to spoon-feeding (mean difference 0.47; 95% confidence interval 0.20 to 0.74). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Squeezable bottles appear easier to use than rigid feeding bottles for babies born with clefts of the lip and/or palate, however, there is no evidence of a difference in growth outcomes between the bottle types. There is weak evidence that breastfeeding is better than spoon-feeding following surgery for cleft. There was no evidence to suggest that maxillary plates assist growth in babies with clefts of the palate. No evidence was found to assess the use of any types of maternal advice and/or support for these babies
Long-range correlation energy calculated from coupled atomic response functions
An accurate determination of the electron correlation energy is essential for
describing the structure, stability, and function in a wide variety of systems,
ranging from gas-phase molecular assemblies to condensed matter and
organic/inorganic interfaces. Even small errors in the correlation energy can
have a large impact on the description of chemical and physical properties in
the systems of interest. In this context, the development of efficient
approaches for the accurate calculation of the long-range correlation energy
(and hence dispersion) is the main challenge. In the last years a number of
methods have been developed to augment density functional approximations via
dispersion energy corrections, but most of these approaches ignore the
intrinsic many-body nature of correlation effects, leading to inconsistent and
sometimes even qualitatively incorrect predictions. Here we build upon the
recent many-body dispersion (MBD) framework, which is intimately linked to the
random-phase approximation for the correlation energy. We separate the
correlation energy into short-range contributions that are modeled by
semi-local functionals and long-range contributions that are calculated by
mapping the complex all-electron problem onto a set of atomic response
functions coupled in the dipole approximation. We propose an effective
range-separation of the coupling between the atomic response functions that
extends the already broad applicability of the MBD method to non-metallic
materials with highly anisotropic responses, such as layered nanostructures.
Application to a variety of high-quality benchmark datasets illustrates the
accuracy and applicability of the improved MBD approach, which offers the
prospect of first-principles modeling of large structurally complex systems
with an accurate description of the long-range correlation energy.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figure
Objective measurement of habitual sedentary behavior in pre-school children: comparison of activPAL with actigraph monitors
The Actigraph is well established for measurement of both physical activity and
sedentary behavior in children. The activPAL is being used increasingly in children, though with no published evidence on its use in free-living children to date. The present study compared the two monitors in preschool children. Children (n 23) wore both monitors simultaneously during waking hours for 5.6d and 10h/d. Daily mean percentage of time sedentary (nontranslocation of the trunk) was 74.6 (SD 6.8) for the Actigraph and 78.9 (SD 4.3) for activPAL. Daily mean percentage of time physically active (light intensity physical activity plus MVPA) was 25.4 (SD 6.8) for the Actigraph and 21.1 (SD 4.3) for the activPAL. Bland-Altman tests and paired t tests suggested small but statistically significant differences between the two monitors. Actigraph and activPAL estimates of sedentary behaviour and physical activity in young children are similar at a group level
Rapid Single-Shot Measurement of a Singlet-Triplet Qubit
We report repeated single-shot measurements of the two-electron spin state in
a GaAs double quantum dot. The readout scheme allows measurement with fidelity
above 90% with a 7 microsecond cycle time. Hyperfine-induced precession between
singlet and triplet states of the two-electron system are directly observed, as
nuclear Overhauser fields are quasi-static on the time scale of the measurement
cycle. Repeated measurements on millisecond to second time scales reveal
evolution of the nuclear environment.Comment: supplemental material at
http://marcuslab.harvard.edu/papers/single_shot_sup.pd
Engineering calculations for communications satellite systems planning
Observed solution times were analyzed for the extended gradient and cyclic coordinate search procedures. The times used in the analysis come from computer runs made during a previously-reported experiment conducted to assess the quality of the solutions to a BSS synthesis problem found by the two search methods. The results of a second experiment with a Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) test problem are also presented. Computational results are summarized for mixed integer programming approaches for solving FSS synthesis problems. A promising heuristic algorithm is described. A synthesis model is discussed for orbital arc allotment optimization. Research plans for the near future are also presented
Measurement of Temporal Correlations of the Overhauser Field in a Double Quantum Dot
In quantum dots made from materials with nonzero nuclear spins, hyperfine
coupling creates a fluctuating effective Zeeman field (Overhauser field) felt
by electrons, which can be a dominant source of spin qubit decoherence. We
characterize the spectral properties of the fluctuating Overhauser field in a
GaAs double quantum dot by measuring correlation functions and power spectra of
the rate of singlet-triplet mixing of two separated electrons. Away from zero
field, spectral weight is concentrated below 10 Hz, with 1/f^2 dependence on
frequency, f. This is consistent with a model of nuclear spin diffusion, and
indicates that decoherence can be largely suppressed by echo techniques.Comment: related papers available at http://marcuslab.harvard.ed
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