Optical memory disks in optical information processing

We describe the use of optical memory disks as elements in optical information processing architectures. The optical disk is an optical memory devicew ith a storage capacity approaching 1010b its which is naturally suited to parallel access. We discuss optical disk characteristics which are important in optical computing systems such as contrast, diffraction efficiency, and phase uniformity. We describe techniques for holographic storage on optical disks and present reconstructions of several types of computer-generated holograms. Various optical information processing architectures are described for applications such as database retrieval, neural network implementation, and image correlation. Selected systems are experimentally demonstrated

Extending Commands Embedded in Actions for Human-Robot Cooperative Tasks

ArticleInternational Journal of Social Robotics. 2(2):159-173 (2010)journal articl

VLBI Imagings of Kilo-parsec Knot in 3C 380

We investigate observational properties of a kilo-parsec scale knot in radio-loud quasar 3C 380 by using two epoch archival data obtained by Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) at 5 GHz on 1998 July and 2001 April. We succeed in obtaining the highest spatial resolution image of the bright knot K1 located at 732 milliarcseconds, or more than 20 kpc de-projected, downstream from the nucleus three times better than previously obtained highest resolution image by Papageorgiou et al. (2006). Our images reveal, with new clarity, "inverted bow-shock" structure in K1 facing the nucleus and its morphology resembles a conical shock wave. By comparing the two epoch images directly, we explore the kinematics of K1 and obtain the upper limit of apparent velocity, 0.25 mas/yr or 9.8 c of K1 for the first time. The upper limit of apparent velocity is marginally smaller than superluminal motions seen in the core region. Further new epoch VLBI observations are necessary to measure the proper motion at K1.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in PAS

Non-Adiabatic Transition in Spin-Boson Model and Generalization of the Landau-Zener Formula

Non-adiabatic transitions are studied in a spin-boson model with multiple scattering points. In order to generalize the Landau-Zener formula, which describes the case of a single scattering point, we define an ``effective gap'' for a set of scattering points. The generalized formula agrees very well with numerical results of the non-adiabatic dynamics, which we obtained by a direct numerical method. This will make the Landau-Zener formula yet more useful in analyzing experimental data of magnetic-moment inversion.Comment: 17 pages, 18 figure

Rover and out? Globalisation, the West Midlands auto cluster, and the end of MG Rover

This paper sets the scene for this Policy Studies special issue on plant closures by outlining the form of the auto cluster in the West Midlands, the nature of structural changes unfolding in the industry, and the decline and eventual collapse of MG Rover (MGR). Structural changes highlighted include: greater pressure on firms to recover costs when technological change has been intensifying, driving up the costs of new model development; increased international sourcing of modular components; and a shift of final assembly operations towards lower cost locations. All of these make maintaining mature clusters such as the West Midlands more challenging for firms and policy makers. The paper then looks at ‘what went wrong’ at MGR. Given long-run problems at the firm and its inability to recover costs, BMW's sale of the firm in 2000 left MGR virtually dead on its feet, and by 2002/2003 it was clear to many that the firm was running out of time. Whilst recognising that the firm's demise was ultimately a long-term failure of management, the paper also looks at other contributing factors, including government policy mistakes over the years, such as the misguided ‘national champions’ approach in the 1950s and 1960s, a failure to integrate activities under nationalisation in the 1970s, a mistaken privatisation to British Aerospace in the 1980s, and a downside of competition policy in ‘allowing’ the sale to a largely inappropriate owner in BMW in the 1990s. The considerable volatility of sterling in recent years hastened the firm's eventual demise

The formation and environmental of early farming in Miyake Island around the Izu Islands

An early agricultural society was established in the Izu Islands by the middle of the Yayoi period(ca.100 BC). A large scale village dating to this period was recently excavated at Ozato-higashi on Miyake Island. This site produced a large quantity of barley phytoliths from the artifact bearing strata. Although rice paddy fields cannot be utilized on the volcanic loam soils of Miyake Island, the presence of barley agriculture in dry fields was confirmed at Ozato-higashi. Compared with mainland sites of the same time period, Ozato-higashi produced many tools such as saddle querns and grinding stones that would appear to be linked with food processing. Another characteristic of the site is its almost total lack of fishing tools despite its coastal location. Ozato-higashi appears to have been a permanent residential village with a main emphasis on dry field farming. Furthermore, the presence of a large quantity of faunal remains at the nearby Middle Yayoi site of Kokomanokoshi suggests that rather than mere seasonal adaptations, a division of labour between villages was already in existence. On the main islands of Japan, this was the time in which full-scale agricultural villages based on wet rice cultivation were being established. The same was true of the Izu Islands, but here the evidence of sites such as Ozato-higashi shows that there was a flexibility to adapt to the more difficult local environmental conditions. The formation of a society having such an adaptive flexibility meant the end of the society which had carried out incipient cultivation from the latter half of the Jomon period

Surgical Treatment for Biliary Carcinoma Arising After Pancreatoduodenectomy

The clinicopathological features and surgical treatment of biliary carcinoma around the major hepatic duct confluence arising after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) due to initial bile duct carcinoma are described in three patients. Occurrence of biliary carcinoma more than 12 years after initial surgery and a histological finding of cholangiocellular carcinoma mixed with hepatocellular carcinoma suggested metachronous incidence of biliary carcinoma after PD. Extended right hemihepatectomy with complete removal of the residual extrahepatic bile duct and segmental, resection of the jejunal loop were carried out safely without operative death or severe postoperative complications. Two patients died of tumor recurrence 6 months after surgery, and the remaining patient is currently living a normal life without evidence of recurrence 17 months after surgery. These surgical procedures are a therapeutic option in patients with biliary carcinoma around the major hepatic duct confluence arising after PD

Development of novel optically active two-canter phase-transfer catalysts for enantioselective synthesis of -amino acid

New optically active bis-quaternary ammonium salts were synthesized and applied to catalytic asymmtric alkylation of tert-butyl glycinate benzophenone Schiff base to provide a chiral a-amino acid derivative with 54% ee