The Eect of Mechanical Loading on the Frequency of an Oscillator Circuit

We investigate the effect of mechanical strain on the frequency of an electronic oscillator embedded in an integrated circuit. This analysis is aimed at explaining a 1% inaccuracy in the oscillator frequency under test conditions prescribed by a leading supplier of semi-conductor devices. During the test the package containing the oscillator was clamped to a circuit board by mechanical pressure. By considering the nature of the oscillator we show that tensile strains of the order of 10^-4 could explain the observations via the piezoresistance effect. Both a simple one-dimensional analysis based on the beam equation and an elastic finite element simulation show that strains of this magnitude can be generated during the test

Does short termism affect the quality of urban design in the UK?

This paper follows the report on the “Quality of Urban Design: Study of the Influence of Private Property Decision Maker in Urban Design” (RICS 1996). It focuses on one of the findings in the report, namely that decisions made in development, investment and occupation seemed overly influenced by short term considerations. In this paper, the authors review the Report and examine the concept of short termism as it affects urban design decisions. The paper concludes that although it is difficult to establish whether or not short termism exists in many decisions, there are grounds for believing that a priori short termism might particularly influence property orientated decisions. The paper ends with some implications for policy both at the economy and local level

Exploring knowledge exchange: a useful framework for practice and policy

Knowledge translation is underpinned by a dynamic and social knowledge exchange process but there are few descriptions of how this unfolds in practice settings. This has hampered attempts to produce realistic and useful models to help policymakers and researchers understand how knowledge exchange works. This paper reports the results of research which investigated the nature of knowledge exchange. We aimed to understand whether dynamic and fluid definitions of knowledge exchange are valid and to produce a realistic, descriptive framework of knowledge exchange. Our research was informed by a realist approach. We embedded a knowledge broker within three service delivery teams across a large mental health organisation, each of whom was grappling with specific challenges. The knowledge broker participated in the team's problem-solving process and collected observational fieldnotes. We also interviewed the team members. Observational and interview data were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively in order to determine and describe the nature of the knowledge exchange process in more detail. This enabled us to refine our conceptual framework of knowledge exchange. We found that knowledge exchange can be understood as a dynamic and fluid process which incorporates distinct forms of knowledge from multiple sources. Quantitative analysis illustrated that five broadly-defined components of knowledge exchange (problem, context, knowledge, activities, use) can all be in play at any one time and do not occur in a set order. Qualitative analysis revealed a number of distinct themes which better described the nature of knowledge exchange. By shedding light on the nature of knowledge exchange, our findings problematise some of the linear, technicist approaches to knowledge translation. The revised model of knowledge exchange which we propose here could therefore help to reorient thinking about knowledge exchange and act as a starting point for further exploration and evaluation of the knowledge exchange process

In search for a perfect shape of polyhedra: Buffon transformation

For an arbitrary polygon consider a new one by joining the centres of consecutive edges. Iteration of this procedure leads to a shape which is affine equivalent to a regular polygon. This regularisation effect is usually ascribed to Count Buffon (1707-1788). We discuss a natural analogue of this procedure for 3-dimensional polyhedra, which leads to a new notion of affine $B$-regular polyhedra. The main result is the proof of existence of star-shaped affine $B$-regular polyhedra with prescribed combinatorial structure, under partial symmetry and simpliciality assumptions. The proof is based on deep results from spectral graph theory due to Colin de Verdiere and Lovasz.Comment: Slightly revised version with added example of pentakis dodecahedro

Feasibility study of the application of existing techniques to remotely monitor hydrochloric acid in the atmosphere

A critical evaluation of existing optical remote sensors for HCl vapor detection in solid propellant rocket plumes is presented. The P branch of the fundamental vibration-rotation band was selected as the most promising spectral feature to sense. A computation of transmittance for HCl vapor, an estimation of interferent spectra, the application of these spectra to computer modelled remote sensors, and a trade-off study for instrument recommendation are also included

∗\ast-SDYM fields and heavenly spaces: II. Reductions of the ∗\ast-SDYM system

Reductions of self-dual Yang-Mills (SDYM) system for $\ast$-bracket Lie algebra to the Husain-Park (HP) heavenly equation and to sl(N,{\boldmath{C}) SDYM equation are given. An example of a sequence of $su(N)$ chiral fields ($N\geq 2$) tending for $N\to\infty$ to a curved heavenly space is found.Comment: 18 page

Why, whose, what and how? A framework for knowledge mobilisers

Knowledge mobilisers (people who move knowledge into action) face a number of challenges. These include making sense of diverse definitions, navigating through fragmented literature and identifying helpful models and tools. This paper presents a framework designed to help. Based on a review of 47 knowledge mobilisation models, it consists of four questions: Why is knowledge being mobilised? Whose knowledge is being mobilised? What type of knowledge is being mobilised? How is knowledge being mobilised? These questions and accompanying categories can help knowledge mobilisers reflect on, communicate and evaluate their aims and objectives, increasing clarity and understanding across the field

Comments and Suggestions for Improvement of the Archon Genomics X PRIZE Validation Protocol

This document is a comment on the X PRIZE validation protocol written by Kedes et al. (2011). We propose several modifications which we think will improve the fairness and transparency of the contest while keeping the cost of the validation process under control