4,152 research outputs found
Collaboration : a key competence for competing in the 21st century
It is now an accepted fact that in the 21st century competition will be between networks of organisations and individuals, which efficiently and effectively integrate their competencies and resources in order to compete in a global economy (Bititci et al, 2004). Similarly the SME'2000 conference, which was held in Bologna, concluded that 'SMEs belonging to networks are often more competitive and innovative than those operating in isolation. When working together, SMEs can increase their focus through specialisation in functions that are complementary within their networks'
Synthetic Quantum Systems
So far proposed quantum computers use fragile and environmentally sensitive
natural quantum systems. Here we explore the new notion that synthetic quantum
systems suitable for quantum computation may be fabricated from smart
nanostructures using topological excitations of a stochastic neural-type
network that can mimic natural quantum systems. These developments are a
technological application of process physics which is an information theory of
reality in which space and quantum phenomena are emergent, and so indicates the
deep origins of quantum phenomena. Analogous complex stochastic dynamical
systems have recently been proposed within neurobiology to deal with the
emergent complexity of biosystems, particularly the biodynamics of higher brain
function. The reasons for analogous discoveries in fundamental physics and
neurobiology are discussed.Comment: 16 pages, Latex, 1 eps figure fil
Maternal glucose and fatty acid kinetics and infant birth weight in obese women with type 2 diabetes
The objectives of this study were 1) to describe maternal glucose and lipid kinetics and 2) to examine the relationships with infant birth weight in obese women with pregestational type 2 diabetes during late pregnancy. Using stable isotope tracer methodology and mass spectrometry, maternal glucose and lipid kinetic rates during the basal condition were compared in three groups: lean women without diabetes (Lean, n = 25), obese women without diabetes (OB, n = 26), and obese women with pregestational type 2 diabetes (OB+DM, n = 28; total n = 79). Glucose and lipid kinetics during hyperinsulinemia were also measured in a subset of participants (n = 56). Relationships between maternal glucose and lipid kinetics during both conditions and infant birth weight were examined. Maternal endogenous glucose production (EGP) rate was higher in OB+DM than OB and Lean during hyperinsulinemia. Maternal insulin value at 50% palmitate R(a) suppression (IC50) for palmitate suppression with insulinemia was higher in OB+DM than OB and Lean. Maternal EGP per unit insulin and plasma free fatty acid concentration during hyperinsulinemia most strongly predicted infant birth weight. Our findings suggest maternal fatty acid and glucose kinetics are altered during late pregnancy and might suggest a mechanism for higher birth weight in obese women with pregestational diabetes
Protons as the prime contributors to the storm time ring current
Following a large magnetic storm (17 June 1972), Explorer 45 measured the equatorial particle populations and magnetic field. Using data obtained during the symmetic recovery phase, it is shown that through a series of self-consistent calculations, the measured protons with energies from 1 to 872 keV, can account for the observed ring current magnetic effects within experimental uncertainities. This enables an upper limit to be set for the heavy ion contribution to the storm time ring current
More Energy, More Searches, but the pMSSM Lives On
We further examine the capability of the 7 and 8 TeV LHC to explore the
parameter space of the p(henomenological)MSSM with neutralino LSPs. Here we
present an updated study employing all of the relevant ATLAS SUSY analyses, as
well as all relevant LHC non-MET searches, whose data were publically available
as of mid-September 2012. We find that roughly 1/3 of our pMSSM model points
are excluded at present with an important role being played by both the heavy
flavor and multi-lepton searches, as well as those for heavy stable charged
particles. Nonetheless, we find that light gluinos, 1st/2nd generation squarks,
and stop/sbottoms (\lsim 400-700 GeV), as well as models with 1% fine-tuning or
better, are still viable in the pMSSM. In addition, we see that increased
luminosity at 8 TeV is unlikely to significantly improve the reach of the
"vanilla" searches. The impact of these null searches on the SUSY sparticle
spectrum is discussed in detail and the implications of these results for
models with low fine-tuning, a future lepton collider and dark matter searches
are examined.Comment: 33 pages, 9 figure
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