A near-field scanned microwave probe for spatially localized electrical metrology

We have developed a near-field scanned microwave probe with a sampling volume of approximately 10 micron in diameter, which is the smallest one achieved in near-field microwave microscopy. This volume is defined to confine close to 100 percent of the probe net sampling reactive energy, thus making the response virtually independent on the sample properties outside of this region. The probe is formed by a 4 GHz balanced stripline resonator with a few-micron tip size. It provides non-contact, non-invasive measurement and is uniquely suited for spatially localized electrical metrology applications, e.g. on semiconductor production wafers.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Appl. Phys. Let

Monitoring the inputs required to extend and sustain hygiene promotion: findings from the GLAAS 2013/2014 survey.

OBJECTIVES: There are significant gaps in information about the inputs required to effectively extend and sustain hygiene promotion activities to improve people's health outcomes through water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions. We sought to analyse current country and global trends in the use of key inputs required for effective and sustainable implementation of hygiene promotion to help guide hygiene promotion policy and decision-making after 2015. METHODS: Data collected in response to the GLAAS 2013/2014 survey from 93 countries of 94 were included, and responses were analysed for 12 questions assessing the inputs and enabling environment for hygiene promotion under four thematic areas. Data were included and analysed from 20 External Support Agencies (ESA) of 23 collected through self-administered surveys. RESULTS: Firstly, the data showed a large variation in the way in which hygiene promotion is defined and what constitutes key activities in this area. Secondly, challenges to implement hygiene promotion are considerable: include poor implementation of policies and plans, weak coordination mechanisms, human resource limitations and a lack of available hygiene promotion budget data. CONCLUSION: Despite the proven benefits of hand washing with soap, a critical hygiene-related factor in minimising infection, GLAAS 2013/2014 survey data showed that hygiene promotion remains a neglected component of WASH. Additional research to identify the context-specific strategies and inputs required to enhance the effectiveness of hygiene promotion at scale are needed. Improved data collection methods are also necessary to advance the availability and reliability of hygiene-specific information

The cubic period-distance relation for the Kater reversible pendulum

We describe the correct cubic relation between the mass configuration of a Kater reversible pendulum and its period of oscillation. From an analysis of its solutions we conclude that there could be as many as three distinct mass configurations for which the periods of small oscillations about the two pivots of the pendulum have the same value. We also discuss a real compound Kater pendulum that realizes this property.Comment: 25 pages 4figure

The effect of composition on the mechanism of stress-corrosion cracking of titanium alloys in nitrogen tetroxide, and aqueous and hot- salt environments Annual summary report, 1 May 1967 - 30 Apr. 1968

Stress corrosion data for titanium alloys in aqueous, hot salt, and nitrogen dioxide environment

Harvesting graphics power for MD simulations

We discuss an implementation of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on a graphic processing unit (GPU) in the NVIDIA CUDA language. We tested our code on a modern GPU, the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX. Results for two MD algorithms suitable for short-ranged and long-ranged interactions, and a congruential shift random number generator are presented. The performance of the GPU's is compared to their main processor counterpart. We achieve speedups of up to 80, 40 and 150 fold, respectively. With newest generation of GPU's one can run standard MD simulations at 10^7 flops/$.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures. Submitted to Mol. Si

Replicating the Networking, Mentoring and Venture Creation Benefits of Entrepreneurship Centres on a Shoestring: A Student-centred Approach to Entrepreneurship Education and Venture Creation

As support for both university-level entrepreneurial education and the use of experiential learning methods to foster student entrepreneurs increases, so too have the number of university-established or affiliated entrepreneurship centers. The activity at the center of this study aimed to combine experiential learning methods with assets associated with entrepreneurship centers, including venture creation, networking, and mentoring. Students were invited to participate in a competition wherein they were guided through the business creation process and pitched their ideas to investor judges who chose the winner and provided capital start-up funding and consulting. This research puts forth that university faculty at institutions without entrepreneurship centers can organize experiences to provide the benefits of entrepreneurship centers. The study used interviews to find that many of the benefits of entrepreneurship centers were able to be replicated using this method. The project is outlined, outcomes are analyzed, and the results and lessons learned are discussed

The norm-1-property of a quantum observable

A normalized positive operator measure $X\mapsto E(X)$ has the norm-1-property if \no{E(X)}=1 whenever $E(X)\ne O$. This property reflects the fact that the measurement outcome probabilities for the values of such observables can be made arbitrary close to one with suitable state preparations. Some general implications of the norm-1-property are investigated. As case studies, localization observables, phase observables, and phase space observables are considered.Comment: 14 page

Professional Development Handbook

This action research project was designed to help lower enlisted Soldiers receive additional knowledge that will help with their career progression and knowledge within the military. This handbook is quick and easy to access with some additional resources if they want to dive into the material a little deeper. This handbook would be great for someone who is getting ready to go to a promotion board and wants to study up on basic Army knowledge and some additional regulations that are important to know