Phase diagrams for quantum Brownian motion models on two-dimensional Bravais lattices

We study quantum Brownian motion (QBM) models for a particle in a dissipative environment coupled to a periodic potential. We review QBM for a particle in a one-dimensional periodic potential and extend the study to that for a particle in two-dimensional (2D) periodic potentials of four Bravais lattice types: square, rectangular, triangular (hexagonal), and centered rectangular. We perform perturbative renormalization group analyses to derive the zero temperature flow diagrams and phase boundaries for a particle in these potentials, and observe localization behavior dependent on the anisotropy of the lattice parameters.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figure

PieceTimer: A Holistic Timing Analysis Framework Considering Setup/Hold Time Interdependency Using A Piecewise Model

In static timing analysis, clock-to-q delays of flip-flops are considered as constants. Setup times and hold times are characterized separately and also used as constants. The characterized delays, setup times and hold times, are ap- plied in timing analysis independently to verify the perfor- mance of circuits. In reality, however, clock-to-q delays of flip-flops depend on both setup and hold times. Instead of being constants, these delays change with respect to different setup/hold time combinations. Consequently, the simple ab- straction of setup/hold times and constant clock-to-q delays introduces inaccuracy in timing analysis. In this paper, we propose a holistic method to consider the relation between clock-to-q delays and setup/hold time combinations with a piecewise linear model. The result is more accurate than that of traditional timing analysis, and the incorporation of the interdependency between clock-to-q delays, setup times and hold times may also improve circuit performance.Comment: IEEE/ACM International Conference on Computer-Aided Design (ICCAD), November 201

Sampling-based Buffer Insertion for Post-Silicon Yield Improvement under Process Variability

At submicron manufacturing technology nodes process variations affect circuit performance significantly. This trend leads to a large timing margin and thus overdesign to maintain yield. To combat this pessimism, post-silicon clock tuning buffers can be inserted into circuits to balance timing budgets of critical paths with their neighbors. After manufacturing, these clock buffers can be configured for each chip individually so that chips with timing failures may be rescued to improve yield. In this paper, we propose a sampling-based method to determine the proper locations of these buffers. The goal of this buffer insertion is to reduce the number of buffers and their ranges, while still maintaining a good yield improvement. Experimental results demonstrate that our algorithm can achieve a significant yield improvement (up to 35%) with only a small number of buffers.Comment: Design, Automation and Test in Europe (DATE), 201

Fuzziness and Relevance Theory

This paper investigates how the phenomenon of fuzzy language, such as 'many' in 'Mary has many friends', can be explained by Relevance Theory (RT, Sperber and Wilson, 1986, 1995, 1998, 2002, Wilson and Sperber 2002). It is concluded that the use of fuzzy language conforms with optimal relevance in that it can achieve the greatest positive effect with the least processing effort. It is the communicators themselves who decide whether or not optimal relevance is achieved, rather than the language form (fuzzy or non-fuzzy) used. People can skillfully adjust the deployment of different language forms or choose appropriate interpretations to suit different situations and their communication needs. However, there are two challenges to RT: a. to extend its theory from individual relevance to group relevance; b. to embrace cultural considerations (because when relevance principles and cultural protocols are in conflict, the latter tends to prevail)

Turning Apolitical To Stay Political: Billy Graham, Evangelical Religion, And The Vietnam War

This essay explores the intersection between Evangelicalism and foreign policy in the context of the Vietnam War. As a handle into the topic, it focuses on examining how Billy Graham, a prominent religious actor, negotiated the public sphere and private halls of power in order to influence politics, and specifically the American foreign policy decision to intervene in Vietnam. More than just a religious figure, Graham was a political actor who was able to adapt to a changing political climate by shrewdly turning to an apolitical message in the public sphere in order to sustain his political role in the private sphere. Within the White House, Graham practiced a unique and masterfully subtle style of ‘friendship politics.’ He cultivated a level of intimacy with President Johnson and Nixon unmatched by any other religious leader at that time and often leveraged this connection to influence foreign policy. By examining the political maneuvers of a man at the forefront of Evangelical Christianity, this paper aims to shed light on how a religious group sought to find, and found, its way into the White House, a platform that was used to nudge diplomatic decisions towards the Calvary

Grice's maxims and the principle of selectiveness: an advertising language perspective

The ability of being selective, i.e. saying the right thing at the right time and place, is essential for successful interaction. This article examines the dynamic process of expression and comprehension in language interactions and deals with two issues. The first is that if selectiveness is common and indispensable in language use it should be accepted as an appropriate communication device. The other issue is how the selectiveness principle fits in with Grice's (1975, 1989) four conversational maxims. This study will be conducted primarily in the context of real estate advertising language, by analysing how real estate agents use selectiveness to convey their intended information and hearers work out the inferential meaning based on their common knowledge and contextual cues.Over the past three decades, there have been continuous debates on Grice's maxims. This study will propose the inclusion of the selectiveness principle into Grice's maxims. The proposal is based on an analysis of advertising language which will show that language users tend to be selective while still managing to fit in with Grice's framework. Being selective is not an ad hoc characteristic of advertising language; it is a pervasive, legitimate, tactful and effective communicative device used in everyday language. Following the selectiveness principle is a matter of following one's common sense. This research will argue that while selectiveness doesn't violate Grice's maxims, it is different in that it is used to achieve appropriateness in terms of cultural and social norms. Differences are drawn between inferential meaning and Grice's conversational implicature to justify the proposed modification of Grice's maxims with the addition of the selectiveness principle

Copy Number Alterations of Aggressive Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors

Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are tumors of the pituitary gland. Although most are benign, they can cause severe morbidity if compression of surrounding tissue and/or endocrinopathies occur. Aggressive PitNETs are notably detrimental and difficult to predict, and their effects are further exacerbated by challenges in treatment. Although histological studies can detect certain markers of tumor aggressiveness, they are insufficient at wholly predicting PitNET aggressiveness, making the clinical behavior of PitNETs challenging to determine. Since treatment of aggressive tumors also remains suboptimal, this further results in negative impacts on health and quality of life. Genetic markers, such as copy number variations (CNVs), could be particularly powerful in detecting PitNET aggressiveness prior to the manifestation of clinical signs of tumor progression. If CNVs are a biomarker for aggressive PitNETs, this would greatly improve their diagnosis and treatment process. To identify whether CNVs predict PitNET aggressiveness, this retrospective study examined clinical and genetic features of non-functional (NF) PitNETs, prolactinomas, corticotropinomas, and somatotropinomas. DNA extraction and quantification of PitNETs was performed. Pituitary DNA that had undergone whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was previously analyzed for CNVs and data extraction of the respective PitNET patients’ clinical charts was performed. Features of clinical aggressiveness were compared to the CNV data. It was found that PitNETs with copy number gains were the most clinically aggressive, and that the subtypes of PitNETs arose from different combinations of copy number gains and losses on different chromosomes. These findings likely reflect results from recently collected pituitary tumor and blood DNA sent for whole-genome sequencing. This research supports that aggressive PitNETs can be identified by CNVs and suggests that subtypes of aggressive PitNETs arise from different tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes, which supports the notion that PitNETs are heterogeneous. Knowledge of aggressive PitNET heterogeneity would ultimately allow for more effective diagnosis and treatment for aggressive PitNETs

Fast Compact Laser Shutter Using a Direct Current Motor and 3D Printing

We present a mechanical laser shutter design that utilizes a DC electric motor to rotate a blade which blocks and unblocks a light beam. The blade and the main body of the shutter are modeled with computer aided design (CAD) and are produced by 3D printing. Rubber flaps are used to limit the blade's range of motion, reducing vibrations and preventing undesirable blade oscillations. At its nominal operating voltage, the shutter achieves a switching speed of (1.22 $\pm$ 0.02) m/s with 1 ms activation delay and 10 $\mu$s jitter in its timing performance. The shutter design is simple, easy to replicate, and highly reliable, showing no failure or degradation in performance over more than $10^8$ cycles.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures; supplementary materials for shutter replication added under "Ancillary files