Quantum channel based on correlated twin laser beams

This work is the development and analysis of the recently proposed quantum cryptographic protocol, based on the use of the two-mode coherently correlated states. The protocol is supplied with the cyrptographic control procedures. The channel error properties and stability against eavesdropping are examined. State detection features are proposed.Comment: The Seventh International Conference on Quantum Communication, Measurement and Computing,Glasgow 200

Secure quantum channels with correlated twin laser beams

This work is the development and analysis of the recently proposed quantum cryptographic protocol, based on the use of the two-mode coherently correlated states. The protocol is supplied with the cryptographic control procedures. The quantum noise influence on the channel error properties is examined. State detection features are proposed

Follow-Up Study of the Graduates of an American Indian Tribally Controlled Community College

This study obtained demographic data and information concerning the academic experiences, transfer experiences, and employment experiences of Turtle Mountain Community College (TMCC) students who graduated from 1980 to 1990, as determined by responses to a questionnaire which was developed for this specific purpose. There were 278 respondents to the survey, and they represented 55.2% of the total number of student graduates. The data were analyzed utilizing the t test and Chi-square techniques to determine significant differences of variables between graduates on the basis of gender and by year of graduation. The testable hypotheses were stated in the null form, and alpha was set at the .05 level of significance. A statistically significant difference was found when comparing the level of satisfaction at TMCC and at the four-year transfer institution and when comparing whether TMCC should have helped and actually did help graduates. There was a statistically significant difference according to year of graduation in the categories of highest degree currently held, whether current job was related to TMCC program of study, current job location, and job classification. There was a statistically significant difference between males and females in the categories of age, situation prior to entering TMCC, important reasons for attending TMCC, whether the most important reason was satisfied, whether TMCC helped to achieve the main reason for attending TMCC, and when comparing the four-year transfer institution to TMCC. The data led to the conclusion that TMCC is providing access to postsecondary education for Chippewa tribal members. Graduates were likely to be employed in professional and skilled occupations on the reservation. Graduates were generally positive about TMCC\u27s academic programs. Academics were appropriate and were meeting the needs of the students. The college was viewed as responsive to tribal educational needs, and the curriculum was perceived as reflecting these needs. Indian instructors and Indian culture integrated into programs were important reasons for attending TMCC. TMCC met its transfer mission. In-state four-year transfer colleges enrolled most graduates who transferred. The quality of instruction at TMCC was perceived to be equal to that of the transfer institution

Analysis of margin classification systems for assessing the risk of local recurrence after soft tissue sarcoma resection

Purpose: To compare the ability of margin classification systems to determine local recurrence (LR) risk after soft tissue sarcoma (STS) resection. Methods: Two thousand two hundred seventeen patients with nonmetastatic extremity and truncal STS treated with surgical resection and multidisciplinary consideration of perioperative radiotherapy were retrospectively reviewed. Margins were coded by residual tumor (R) classification (in which microscopic tumor at inked margin defines R1), the R+1mm classification (in which microscopic tumor within 1 mm of ink defines R1), and the Toronto Margin Context Classification (TMCC; in which positive margins are separated into planned close but positive at critical structures, positive after whoops re-excision, and inadvertent positive margins). Multivariate competing risk regression models were created. Results: By R classification, LR rates at 10-year follow-up were 8%, 21%, and 44% in R0, R1, and R2, respectively. R+1mm classification resulted in increased R1 margins (726 v 278, P < .001), but led to decreased LR for R1 margins without changing R0 LR; for R0, the 10-year LR rate was 8% (range, 7% to 10%); for R1, the 10-year LR rate was 12% (10% to 15%) . The TMCC also showed various LR rates among its tiers (P < .001). LR rates for positive margins on critical structures were not different from R0 at 10 years (11% v 8%, P = .18), whereas inadvertent positive margins had high LR (5-year, 28% [95% CI, 19% to 37%]; 10-year, 35% [95% CI, 25% to 46%]; P < .001). Conclusion: The R classification identified three distinct risk levels for LR in STS. An R+1mm classification reduced LR differences between R1 and R0, suggesting that a negative but < 1-mm margin may be adequate with multidisciplinary treatment. The TMCC provides additional stratification of positive margins that may aid in surgical planning and patient education

Held Harmless: Higher Education Funding and the 77th Session of the Nevada Legislature

The debate over higher education funding took center stage throughout the 77th session of the Nevada Legislature. Much of what transpired during 2013, however, was shaped by the work of the 2011–2012 SB374 Interim Committee to Study the Funding of Higher Education (SB374 Study Committee hereafter)

The 2017 Session of the Nevada Legislature and the Failure of Higher Education Reform

Executive Summary This report analyzes 11 bills introduced during the 79th Session of the Nevada Legislature that proposed to reorganize, reform, and realign various aspects of the state’s higher education system. The analysis reveals the following: Despite bipartisan support for higher education reform, nearly all of the reform bills failed, including two bills vetoed by Governor Brian Sandoval. The failure to enact meaningful reform stands in contrast to the implementation of bills appropriating more resources for higher education. Opposition to reform legislation was strongest among those most invested in legitimizing and perpetuating current arrangements. The report also considers the institutional and cultural factors that reinforce these outcomes. These factors include: The mismatch between legislative capacity and the demand for policy reform. The selective manner in which higher education officials engaged in the Legislature. Misconceptions about the components of the state’s land-grant institution and the Board of Regents’ constitutional carve out prohibiting legislative action. The report concludes with policy recommendations for the Nevada Legislature. Foremost among these are: The second passage of AJR 5, an override of the AB 407 veto, and reintroduction and passage of the failed reform bills. Separation of the governance of the two- and four-year colleges from the branches of the state university, reduction in the size of the Board of Regents, and reorganization of the administration of higher education. Developing separate funding formulas for the universities and the two- and four-year colleges, and adding funding weights for courses completed by first generation, minority, and Pell Grant eligible students. Creation of the Assembly and Senate Higher Education and Economic Development Committees to improve legislative oversight and coordination. Elevation of Great Basin College to a four-year institution and realignment of the two and four-year colleges’ service areas to facilitate regional economic integration

A unifying view for performance measures in multi-class prediction

In the last few years, many different performance measures have been introduced to overcome the weakness of the most natural metric, the Accuracy. Among them, Matthews Correlation Coefficient has recently gained popularity among researchers not only in machine learning but also in several application fields such as bioinformatics. Nonetheless, further novel functions are being proposed in literature. We show that Confusion Entropy, a recently introduced classifier performance measure for multi-class problems, has a strong (monotone) relation with the multi-class generalization of a classical metric, the Matthews Correlation Coefficient. Computational evidence in support of the claim is provided, together with an outline of the theoretical explanation

Analyzing Transition Metal Catalytic Converter Impact on Four-Stroke Motorcycle Fuel Consumption

Increased exhaust emissions from motor vehicles have become a major concern in efforts to reduce air pollution. One developed solution is the use of transition metallic catalytic converter (TMCC) technology in vehicle exhaust systems. This study aims to compare the fuel consumption efficiency of three types of exhaust systems, namely standard exhaust without a catalyst (STD WC), the standard exhaust with Original Equipment Manufacturer catalyst (STD OEM), and an exhaust system equipped with a Copper-Coated Chrome Metallic Catalytic Converter (TMCC CuCr). The data analysis method employed a quantitative approach by collecting fuel consumption data at each rpm and analyzing the mean and standard deviation. The research findings indicate that STD OEM has a lower average fuel consumption (0.80 liters per hour) and smaller standard deviation (0.06) compared to TMCC CuCr (0.83 liters per hour and 0.07). Although TMCC CuCr demonstrates good efficiency, STD OEM remains the best choice in terms of fuel efficiency. However, if the differences in fuel consumption and standard deviation are considered insignificant, TMCC CuCr could be a more economical alternative with its affordable price and greater material availability. Furthermore, its fuel consumption performance is not significantly different from that of STD OEM

A survey of digital television broadcast transmission techniques

This paper is a survey of the transmission techniques used in digital television (TV) standards worldwide. With the increase in the demand for High-Definition (HD) TV, video-on-demand and mobile TV services, there was a real need for more bandwidth-efficient, flawless and crisp video quality, which motivated the migration from analogue to digital broadcasting. In this paper we present a brief history of the development of TV and then we survey the transmission technology used in different digital terrestrial, satellite, cable and mobile TV standards in different parts of the world. First, we present the Digital Video Broadcasting standards developed in Europe for terrestrial (DVB-T/T2), for satellite (DVB-S/S2), for cable (DVB-C) and for hand-held transmission (DVB-H). We then describe the Advanced Television System Committee standards developed in the USA both for terrestrial (ATSC) and for hand-held transmission (ATSC-M/H). We continue by describing the Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting standards developed in Japan for Terrestrial (ISDB-T) and Satellite (ISDB-S) transmission and then present the International System for Digital Television (ISDTV), which was developed in Brazil by adopteding the ISDB-T physical layer architecture. Following the ISDTV, we describe the Digital Terrestrial television Multimedia Broadcast (DTMB) standard developed in China. Finally, as a design example, we highlight the physical layer implementation of the DVB-T2 standar