Structural perfection in poorly lattice matched heterostructures

Continuum elastic theory is applied to the formation of misfit dislocations and point defects in strained layer structures. Explicit calculations of the energies of misfit dislocations in the double‐ and single‐kink geometries yield line tensions below which strained films are stable with respect to defect formation. Our results yield a mismatch‐dependent stability limit which, in the double kink case, differs from the Matthews–Blakeslee model by a geometrical factor and by the addition of a stress term associated with climb of the misfit dislocation. While our calculations yield equilibrium stability limits which may not correspond to observed critical thicknesses, the calculated stresses may be applied to descriptions of the kinetics of strain relief in films grown beyond these limits. Last, calculations of strain‐related contributions to the free energy of formation of point defects suggest a contribution │ΔG_(strain)│ ≃0.25 eV for a 5% lattice mismatch. This suggests a means of suppressing or enhancing the formation of vacancies or interstitials in semiconductors favoring these defects

Oceanic wave measurement system

An oceanic wave measured system is disclosed wherein wave height is sensed by a barometer mounted on a buoy. The distance between the trough and crest of a wave is monitored by sequentially detecting positive and negative peaks of the output of the barometer and by combining (adding) each set of two successive half cycle peaks. The timing of this measurement is achieved by detecting the period of a half cycle of wave motion

The optical and near-infrared properties of nearby groups of galaxies

We present a study of the optical (BRI) and near-infrared (JHK) luminosity fuctions (LFs) of the GEMS sample of 60 nearby groups of galaxies between 0<z<0.04, with our optical CCD photometry and near-IR photometry from the 2MASS survey. The LFs in all filters show a depletion of galaxies of intermediate luminosity, two magnitudes fainter than L*, within 0.3 R{500} from the centres of X-ray faint groups. This feature is not as pronounced in X-ray bright gropus, and vanishes when LFs are found out to R{500}, even in the X-ray dim groups. We argue that this feature arises due to the enhanced merging of intermediate-mass galaxies in the dynamically sluggish environment of low velocity-dispersion groups, indicating that merging is important in galaxy evolution even at z~0.Comment: to appear in the proceedings of the ESO workshop "Groups of Galaxies in the Nearby Universe", Santiago, Dec 5-9, 2005. Eds. I. Saviane, V. Ivanov, & J. Borissova (Springer Verlag); 5 page

LITERATURE REVIEW: How are Self-Compassion, Self-Criticism and Self-Blame, Related to Executive Function Skills: A Systematic Review EMPIRICAL PAPER: Skills for Self-Compassion After Trauma: The Role of Executive Function

Systematic Literature Review Abstract Objective: Self-compassion is associated with greater well-being and happiness and reduced symptoms of psychological distress. Negative self-compassion such as self-criticism, has the opposite effect. Having higher self-compassion involves the use of a range of emotion regulation strategies, including aspects of cognitive and attentional control. Executive function (EF) describe skills involved in these ‘higher order’ or supervisory cognitive processes such as the ability to shift attention, inhibit automatic responses and use working memory (WM). Research to date has shown that interventions either self-compassion or EF skills can result in improvements to the other. To explore the association between these two variables, this systematic review collated studies that measured the relationship between EF and self-compassion, self-criticism and self-blame. Method: Studies that measured self-compassion, self-criticism or self-blame, and assessed EF skills in adults, were selected from a number of databases, both multidisciplinary and subject-specific, prior to 1st April 2020. The search strategy provided 183 results,128 after duplicates were removed. Full text screening of 39 studies led to the inclusion of seven papers for this review. Results: Results provided partial support for the association of WM with self-criticism, but no confirmed support for the association of self-compassion, self-criticism or self-blame with other aspects of EF. Results were not conclusive due to the lack of quality research. Conclusions: There is scant support at present for the association of levels of self-compassion, self-criticism or self-blame, with EF skills, however there is also little quality support for the lack of a relationship between them. Further research would be needed to address what appears to be a gap in the evidence base. Keywords: self-compassion, self-criticism, self-blame, executive function, systematic review Empirical Paper Abstract Objective: PTSD is known to cause significant impairments to social interactions and general functioning. It is associated with poor self-image and low levels of self-compassion. Cognitive difficulties associated with the disorder include deficiencies in levels of executive function (EF). Low self-compassion and poor EF skills are suggested to be involved in the maintenance of PTSD. Despite this, little is known about the association between self-compassion and EF, and still less of their combined role in PTSD. To address this gap, the association of trait and state levels of self-compassion, with EF skills was investigated in a population who had experienced traumatic events. Methods: Fifty-two adults (M=33.71 years; SD = 17.01) participated in the study. Of this, 33 met a current diagnosis of PTSD (26 women, 7 men) and 19 had symptoms below the diagnostic threshold (13 women, 6 men). The participants completed measures of trait self-compassion, PTSD symptoms and a self-report EF measure before completing Trails and Stroop tests to assess specific attention switching and inhibition skills. State levels of self-compassion were measured before and after listening to a recording of a self-compassion induction. Results: Findings showed that (1) state levels of self-compassion increased significantly following the induction, but the degree of change was not predictable from the other factors, (2) PTSD symptom severity was predicted independently and significantly by both the trait measure of self-compassion and the self-report measure of EF, furthermore (3) levels of trait self-compassion were associated to, and predicted by, self-report measures of EF. Conclusion: The study did not confirm any factors that could predict change in levels of state self-compassion; however, it demonstrated that PTSD symptoms were associated with both EF and self-compassion, increasing support for interventions to target these areas. In addition, the association of EF skills to levels of self-compassion increases our understanding of the role of cognitive functions in supporting well-being. Keywords: PTSD, self-compassion, executive functio

Why an attack on the Supreme Court by Donald Trump could hurt its reputation in the eyes of his supporters

During the 2016 election campaign and the early stages of his presidency, Donald Trump made repeated attacks on the integrity of federal judges. If his belligerence were to turn to the US Supreme Court, would the trust that Americans feel in that institution protect its reputation? In new research which examines how people's views of the Court are affected by partisan attacks and praise, Miles T. Armaly finds that, in the face of such attacks, the reputation of the Court could be undermined among those who already support Donald Trump. People’s feelings about a particular politician who makes negative statements – not about the Court itself – he writes, are the main determinant of how effective these statements are

Evaluating the impact of an enhanced energy performance standard on load-bearing masonry domestic construction: Understanding the gap between designed and real performance: lessons from Stamford Brook.

This report is aimed at those with interests in the procurement, design and construction of new dwellings both now and in the coming years as the Government’s increasingly stringent targets for low and zero carbon housing approach. It conveys the results of a research project, carried out between 2001 and 2008, that was designed to evaluate the extent to which low carbon housing standards can be achieved in the context of a large commercial housing development. The research was led by Leeds Metropolitan University in collaboration with University College London and was based on the Stamford Brook development in Altrincham, Cheshire. The project partners were the National Trust, Redrow and Taylor Wimpey and some 60 percent of the planned 700 dwelling development has been completed up to June 2008. As the UK house building industry and its suppliers grapple with the challenges of achieving zero carbon housing by 2016, the lessons arising from this project are timely and of considerable value. Stamford Brook has demonstrated that designing masonry dwellings to achieve an enhanced energy standard is feasible and that a number of innovative approaches, particularly in the area of airtightness, can be successful. The dwellings, as built, exceed the Building Regulations requirements in force at the time but tests on the completed dwellings and longer term monitoring of performance has shown that, overall, energy consumption and carbon emissions, under standard occupancy, are around 20 to 25 percent higher than design predictions. In the case of heat loss, the discrepancy can be much higher. The report contains much evidence of considerable potential but points out that realising the design potential requires a fundamental reappraisal of processes within the industry from design and construction to the relationship with its supply chain and the development of the workforce. The researchers conclude that, even when builders try hard, current mainstream technical and organisational practices together with industry cultures present barriers to consistent delivery of low and zero carbon performance. They suggest that the underlying reasons for this are deeply embedded at all levels of the house building industry. They point out also that without fundamental change in processes and cultures, technological innovations, whether they be based on traditional construction or modern methods are unlikely to reach their full potential. The report sets out a series of wide ranging implications for new housing in the UK, which are given in Chapter 14 and concludes by firmly declaring that cooperation between government, developers, supply chains, educators and researchers will be crucial to improvement. The recommendations in this report are already being put into practice by the researchers at Leeds Metropolitan University and University College London in their teaching and in further research projects. The implications of the work have been discussed across the industry at a series of workshops undertaken in 2008 as part of the LowCarb4Real project (see http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/as/cebe/projects/lowcarb4real/index.htm). In addition, the learning is having an impact on the work of the developers (Redrow and Taylor Wimpey) who, with remarkable foresight and enthusiasm, hosted the project. This report seeks to make the findings more widely available and is offered for consideration by everyone who has a part to play in making low and zero carbon housing a reality

Converting Publications in the Air Force to SGML: A Recommendation Based on Commercial Experience

The objective of this research was to determine those benefits of SGML that the Air Force can use in its publications process and to determine if benchmarking can improve the Air Force\u27s migration to an electronic publishing environment. To accomplish this, the author completed an exploratory, qualitative study which defined the components and benefits of SGML and the benchmarking application and process. The qualitative techniques for this research included a literature review and questionnaire. The literature review covered both SGML and benchmarking. The questionnaire was an exploratory instrument that was sent to 60 commercial enterprises. The results of the questionnaire confirmed and elaborated the findings of the literature review. In general, this analysis indicates that the Air Force electronic publishing environment can benefit from the use of SGML. SGML allows for the creation of a document that can be reused in many ways and allows for search, retrieval, and transfer of data across networks and platforms. It was also determined that there are many capabilities and benefits associated with the use of SGML and there are ways in which the Air Force publishing centers can use the lull potential of SGML. The five most cited benefits of SGML are machine independence, reusability, shareability, increased productivity, and improved data integrity. Last, the analysis indicated that a benchmark of commercial enterprises would provide useful information in streamlining the Air Force\u27s conversion to SGML. Benchmarking provides an Opportunity to examine the best practices of commercial enterprises and then implement changes based on the observations

Ascape: Abstracting complexity

Software tools used in science typically take a kitchen-sink approach to design. From statistics to mathematics to engineering to agent modeling, even those tools that have a strong organizing theme tend towards supporting every contingency and methodology. This impulse toward generalization and breadth is laudable and necessary. However, there is a complementary case to be made for the discipline of abstraction, parsimony, and depth, and that is the case I make for Ascape. I argue in general for the importance of abstraction in agent-based modeling. I then discuss three key abstractions enforced in Ascape, and the opportunities they create for expressibility and simplicity. While these abstractions seem especially suited to the domain of social and economic systems, they are not limited to it. By drawing concrete examples from Ascape and comparing Ascape code to other environments, I show how these apparently constraining abstractions benefit the Ascape user and developer experince. In summary, a primary goal of software design and coding is conquering complexity. The motivation behind many programming practices is to reduce a program\u27s complexity. Reducing complexity is a key to being an effective programmer. -Steve McConnell (1993