Showing papers by "University of Colorado Colorado Springs published in 1995"

Market Orientation and the Learning Organization

Abstract: Effective organizations are configurations of management practices that facilitate the development of the knowledge that becomes the basis for competitive advantage. A market orientation, complemen...

Fatigue-free ferroelectric capacitors with platinum electrodes

Abstract: A SIGNIFICANT fraction of the computer memory industry is at present involved in the manufacture of non-volatile memory devices1—that is, devices which retain information when power is interrupted. For such applications (and also for volatile memories), the use of capacitors constructed from ferroelectric thin films has stimulated much interest1. In such structures, information is stored in the polarization state of the ferroelectric material itself, which should in principle lead to lower power requirements, faster access time and potentially lower cost1. But the use of ferroelectrics is not without problems; the memories constructed to date have generally suffered from poor retention of stored information and degradation of performance ('fatigue') with use1–3. Here we describe the preparation and characterization of thin-film capacitors using ferroelectric materials from a large family of layered perovskite oxides, exemplified by SrBi2Ta2O9, SrBi2NbTaO9 and SrBi4Ta4O15. The structural flexibility of these materials allows their properties to be tailored so that many of the problems associated with previous ferroelectric memories are avoided. In particular, our capacitors do not show significant fatigue after 1012 switching cycles, and they exhibit good retention characteristics and low leakage currents even with films less than 100 nm thick.

Organizing for effective new product development: The moderating role of product innovativeness.

Abstract: Marketing and sales personnel are frequently called on to work with—and sometimes to lead—specialists from other functional areas in the development of new products and services. Such cross-functio...

Decision-Making Style: The Development and Assessment of a New Measure

Abstract: A multistage, four sample study was conducted to develop a conceptually consistent and psychometrically sound measure of decision-making style. Construct definitions were developed from prior theory, and items were written to assess rational, avoidant, intuitive, and dependent decision-making styles. A series of principal-axis factor analyses with varimax rotation and subsequent item analyses were conducted to develop four conceptually distinct scales with acceptable internal consistency (alpha ranging from .68 to .94) and a stable factor structure. In the process of scale development, a fifth style (spontaneous) was identified. Tests for independence among the five decision-making style scales and concurrent validity analyses were conducted. Finally, discussion of the new instrument with reference to the extant literature is provided.

Multi-band, multi-mode spread-spectrum communication system

Abstract: A technique for spread-spectrum communication which uses more than one mode and more than one frequency band. Selectable modes include narrowband mode and spread-spectrum mode, or cellular mode and microcellular mode. Selectable frequency bands include both licensed and unlicensed frequency bands, particularly frequency bands including the 902-928 MHz, 1850-1990 MHz, and 2.4-2.4835 GHz frequency bands. Spread-spectrum communication channels are 10 MHz or less in width. The frequency band onto which spread-spectrum signals are encoded may be changed upon a change in environment or other control trigger, such as establishment or de-establishment of communication with a private access network. A multi-band transmitter comprises a single frequency synthesizer and a frequency source (e.g., a local oscillator), coupled to a selectable band pass filter. A multi-band receiver capable of monitoring one or more frequency bands comprises bank of bandpass filters and a demodulator comprising a single frequency synthesizer and a frequency source.

A multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, prospective trial of prophylactic ursodiol for the prevention of gallstone formation following gastric-bypass-induced rapid weight loss.

Abstract: Background Previous studies have documented a high incidence of gallstone formation following gastric-bypass (GBP)-induced rapid weight loss in morbidly obese patients. This study was designed to determine if a 6-month regimen of prophylactic ursodiol might prevent the development of gallstones. Methods A multicenter, randomized, doubleblind, prospective trial evaluated 3 oral doses of ursodiol: 300, 600, and 1,200 mg versus placebo beginning within 10 days after surgery and continuing for 6 months or until gallstone development, for patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m2. All patients had normal intraoperative gallbladder sonography. Transabdominal sonography was obtained at 2, 4, and 6 months following surgery, or until gallstone formation. Results Of 233 patients with at least one postoperative sonogram, 56 were randomized to placebo, 53 to 300 mg ursodiol, 61 to 600 mg ursodiol, and 63 to 1,200 mg ursodiol. Preoperative age, sex, race, weight, BMI, and postoperative weight loss were not significantly different between groups. Gallstone formation occurred at 6 months in 32%, 13%, 2%, and 6% of the patients on the respective doses. Gallstones were significantly (P Conclusion A daily dose of 600 mg ursodiol is effective prophylaxis for gallstone formation following GBP-induced rapid weight loss.

Evidence of a Terror Management Function of Cultural Icons: The Effects of Mortality Salience on the Inappropriate Use of Cherished Cultural Symbols

Abstract: Based on the terror management notion that cultural icons are part of a system that provides protection from fears about one's mortality, it was hypothesized that reminding subjects of their mortality would make it more difficult for them to use cultural icons in an inappropriate way. Subjects responded to questions about either their own mortality or television, and then participated in two problem-solving tasks involving the culturally inappropriate use of cultural icons (a flag and crucifix) or the use of neutral objects. Although mortality salience did not affect actual use of the objects, it did increase the amount of time required to solve the problems, the number of alternative solutions generated, and the extent to which subjects expressed reluctance to use the icons. Mortality salience also increased subjects' reports of task difficulty and tension when the optimal solutions of the problems required inappropriate use of the cultural icons.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment for psychologically traumatized individuals

Abstract: The effects of 3 90-min eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment sessions on traumatic memories of 80 participants were studied. Participants were randomly assigned to treatment or delayed-treatment conditions and to 1 of 5 licensed therapists trained in EMDR. Participants receiving EMDR showed decreases in presenting complaints and in anxiety and increases in positive cognition. Participants in the delayed-treatment condition showed no improvement on any of these measures across the 30 days before treatment, but after treatment participants in the delayed-treatment condition showed similar effects on all measures. The effects were maintained at 90-day follow-up.

Preparation of Ferroelectric Thin Films of Bismuth Layer Structured Compounds

Abstract: Ferroelectric thin films of bismuth layer structured compounds, SrBi2Ta2O9, SrBi2Nb2O9, SrBi4Ti4O15 and their solid solutions, were formed onto a sputtered platinum layer on a silicon substrate using spin-on technique and metal-organic decomposition (MOD) method X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and some electrical measurements were performed on the prepared thin films XRD results of SrBi2(Ta1-x , Nbx )2O9 films (0?x?1) showed that niobium ions substitute for tantalum ions in an arbitrary ratio without any change of the layer structure and lattice constants Furthermore, XRD results of SrBi2x Ta2O9 films (0?x?15) indicated that the formation of the bismuth layer structure does not always require an accurate bismuth content The layer structure was formed above 50% of the stoichiometric bismuth content in the general formula SrBi2(Ta1-x , Nbx )2O9 films with various Ta/Nb ratios have large enough remanent polarization for nonvolatile memory application and have shown high fatigue resistance against 1011 cycles of full switching of the remanent polarization Mixture films of the three compounds were also investigated

Characteristics of Bismuth Layered SrBi2Ta2O9 Thin-Film Capacitors and Comparison with Pb(Zr, Ti)O3

Abstract: We have developed the series of thin-film bismuth layer structured ferroelectric (BLSF) materials such as SrBi2Ta2O9, SrBi2Nb2O9, SrBi4Ti4O15 and their solid solutions using metallo-organic-decomposition (MOD) spin-on coating techniques. We found that SrBi2Ta2O9 is one of the best potential candidate materials for ferroelectric nonvolatile memories. The SrBi2Ta2O9 thin-film capacitor had the remanent polarization (P r+-P r-) of 20 µ C/cm2, coercive field of 35 kV/cm and dielectric constant of 250. SrBi2Ta2O9 thin film on platinum electrode has fatigue-free characteristics for up to 2×1011 cycles without requiring any complicated electrode system such as conductive oxide. Moreover, SrBi2Ta2O9 thin film has many advantages, e.g., high signal/noise ratio of 8 at 1.2 V, low-voltage operation at as low as 1 V, long data-retention, little surface effect, superior imprint properties and low leakage current. We considered that these advantages are due to (1) less space charge and (2) the inherent domain motion.

ChoiceMaker: A Comprehensive Self-Determination Transition Program:

Abstract: Discusses a transition program and curriculum, its materials, and their use

Toward a Theory of Comparative Management Research: An Idiographic Case Study of The Best International Human Resources Management Project

Abstract: Cross-cultural international management research is complex, costly, and frequently, nonrigorous. This idiographic study documents the evolution of a multinational, multicultural, interdisciplinary research consortium that sought to remedy this lack of rigor in a project investigating international human resource management practices. We identify key learning points derived from this project and conclude with the rudiments of a midrange theory of a comparative management research methodology.

The Sociometric Status of Students with Disabilities in a Full-Inclusion School

Abstract: This study examined the sociometric status of children with disabilities in a full-inclusion school that did not use eligibility labels for special education services. The study used a positive and negative peer nomination technique to interview all students. The subject population included students with a range of disabilities; the majority were students with learning disabilities. Findings indicated significant differences between how students who were currently eligible for special education services and students who were likely eligible for services were perceived by their peers when compared to a control group. Full-inclusion strategies did not eliminate negative social perceptions of students with disabilities.

Issues in conducting marketing strategy research

Abstract: Marketing, as an academic discipline, is becoming more and more concerned with strategic issues. Indeed, numerous theoretical articles concerning marketing strategy issues have won awards in the Journal of Marketing in recent years. However, empirical testing of these theories has been less frequent. Difficulties in designing effective research to address marketing strategy issues may be a significant reason for this situation. This paper reviews some key considerations in conducting marketing strategy research and offers recommendations for how they may be resolved.

Efficient communication system using time division multiplexing and timing adjustment control

Abstract: A system for time division multiplexed communication over a single frequency band in which guard time overhead is reduced by active adjustment of reverse link transmission timing as a function of round trip propagation time. In one embodiment, during a first portion of a time frame, a base station issues a single burst segmented into time slots comprising data directed to each user station. After a single collective guard time, the user stations respond, one by one, in allocated time slots on the same frequency as the base station, with only minimal guard times between each reception. In order to prevent interference among the user transmissions, the base station measures the round trip propagation time for each user station and commands the user stations to advance or retard their transmission timing as necessary. To establish the initial range of a new user station, a short message is sent by the new user station during the collective guard portion (or, alternatively, during an available time slot), from which the base station calculates the propagation delay and hence the distance of the user station. Messages sent from the base station to the user stations may be interleaved so as to reduce the effects of potential noise or interference.

Efficient time division duplex communication system with interleaved format and timing adjustment control

Abstract: A system for efficient time division duplex communication between a base station and a plurality of user stations over a single frequency band whereby guard time overhead is reduced through use of an interleaved frame structure and active adjustment of reverse link transmission timing as a function of round trip propagation time. A time frame is divided into a plurality of time slots. The base station transmits a forward link message to a first user station in a first time slot. The user station responds with a reverse link message in the following time slot. In the meantime, the base station receives a reverse link message from a second user station in the first time slot, and sends out another forward link message to a third base station in the first portion of the first time slot. The delay between transmitting the forward and reverse link messages to a particular user station allows for round trip propagation of the forward and reverse link messages. The interleaved frame structure provides for forward and reverse link messages to other user stations while the base station is waiting for a response from the user station, thereby maximizing time efficiency. The base station may, based on a measured propagation delay, command the user station to adjust its reverse link transmission timing so as to allow for reduced guard times.

Performance evaluation of texture measures for ground cover identification in satellite images by means of a neural network classifier

Abstract: The performance of several feature extraction methods for classifying ground covers in satellite images is compared. Ground covers are viewed as texture of the image. Texture measures considered are: cooccurrence matrices, gray-level differences, texture-tone analysis, features derived from the Fourier spectrum, and Gabor filters. Some Fourier features and some Gabor filters were found to be good choices, in particular when a single frequency band was used for classification. A Thematic Mapper (TM) satellite image showing a variety of vegetations in central Colorado was used for the comparison. A related goal was to investigate the feasibility of extracting the main ground covers from an image. These ground covers may then form an index into a database. This would allow the retrieval of a set of images which are similar in contents. The results obtained in the indexing experiments are encouraging. >

Multi-Parameter eddy current measuring system with parameter compensation technical field

Abstract: This invention uses a single eddy current coil to measure multiple parameters of conductive target simultaneously using a single fixed frequency. For example, the system consisting of the sensor coil, connecting cable, and signal conditioning electronics, can measure the thickness of a target and the distance of the target from the coil. Alternatively, it could simultaneously measure the distance of the target to the coil, i.e. lift-off, and one of the electrical properties of the target, such as the resistivity. The present system is useful in material characterization of targets where the lift-off information can be used to correct for any lift-off induced error in the apparent resistivity. In general, it can determine any pair of two characteristics of the target/sensor relationship simultaneously. This invention provides significant improvement in accuracy and flexibility of eddy current sensors and can be manufactured at a low cost due to the use of a single coil and a single fixed frequency in the signal conditioning electronics. An alternative sensor configuration utilizing two sensors differentially to produce a cladding insensitive--displacement measurement is also contemplated by the present invention.

201 Principles of Software Development

Abstract: From the Preface If software engineering is really an engineering discipline, it is the intelligent application of proven principles, techniques, languages, and tools to the cost-effective creation and maintenance of software that satisfies users' needs. This book is the first collection of software engineering principles ever written in one volume. A principle is a basic truth, rule, or assumption about software engineering that holds regardless of the technique, tool, or language selected. With few exceptions, the principles published here are not original. They have been extracted from the writings of many software engineering practitioners and researchers. These individuals have been unselfish enough to share their experiences, ideas, and wisdom with all of us. I make no claim that these 201 principles are mutually exclusive. Unlike Boehm's seven "basic" software engineering principles, a combination of some of these principles may imply another. I also make no claim that these 201 principles are 100 percent compatible. The adages, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" and "Out of sight, out of mind" are each true, and each can be applied to life, but they cannot both be used to justify the same decision. The principles contained in this volume are all valid, and they can all be used to improve software engineering, but it may be impossible to apply some combinations of them on any one project. Manny Lehman [LEH80] has stated eloquently why principles underlying software engineering are inherently different from principles underlying other areas of human exploration. He states there is no reason to expect such principles to have the same "precision and predictability of [say] the laws of physics." The reason for this is that, unlike physics or biology, the process of software development is "managed and implemented by people; thus in the long term [its behavior should] be expected to be unpredictable, dependent on the judgments, whims, and actions of [people]." On the other hand, software does seem to exhibit many regular and predictable traits [LEH80]. These lead to many basic principles that can be enumerated and used by inexperienced and experienced software engineers and managers to enhance the quality of both the software engineering process and software products. The purpose of this book is to present in one volume the principles of software engineering as a reference guide. It is aimed at three classes of readers: 1. Software engineers and managers. In this book you can find out what is good and what is not. If you are new at software engineering or software management, here is a place to find out what you need to know. 2. Students of software engineering. For students, there are two primary uses of this book. First, here are the basic, nondogmatic tenets that every software engineer should know. Second, the references in these pages point to some of the best papers and books ever written on software engineering. If you do nothing other than read the items referenced, this book will have been successful, and you will have been exposed to a wealth of knowledge. 3. Software researchers. Researchers may often find it difficult to find the original source of an idea. I have provided references to publications that reflect either the original source or an alternative, excellent work that refers to the original source. I sincerely hope that everybody who buys this book attempts to read as many of the referenced works as possible. My brief description of the principle is intended to be friendly, easy-to-read, and insightful. But for real appreciation you need to read the referenced works. These works are not necessarily the original source of the idea (although in many cases they are). Nor is the given principle necessarily a primary point of the reference. In every case, however, the referenced work contains a wealth of helpful background, insight, justification, backup data, or information related to the principle. In summary, this book should be the first place for you to look up any software engineering idea. However, this is a book of principles, not techniques, languages, or tools. You will not find out how to use any techniques, languages, or tools which the principles described here transcend. Furthermore, this book tries to avoid all fads, good or bad! For the most part, fads are popular for three to ten years, then lose favor. The underlying principles that might be behind a fad can be found in this volume, but not the fad itself. Thus, for example, you won't see any reference to object-orientation per se here, but you will find many references to the principles underlying object-orientation, such as encapsulation. The principles are organized into general categories to aid in finding them and to aid in relating similar principles. These categories correspond to primary phases of software development (that is, requirements, design, etc.) and to other critical "support" activities, such as management, product assurance, and so on, as shown in Fig. P-1. REFERENCES [BOE83] Boehm, B., "Seven Basic Principles of Software Engineering," Journal of Systems and Software, 3, 1 (March 1983), pp. 3-24. doi:10.1016/0164-1212(83)90003-1 [LEH80] Lehman, M., "On Understanding Laws, Evolution, and Conservation in the Large-Program Life Cycle," Journal of Systems and Software, 1, 3 (July 1980), pp. 213-221. doi:10.1016/0164-1212(79)90022-0 [ROY70] Royce, W., "Managing the Development of Large Software Systems," WESCON '70, 1970; reprinted in 9th International Conference on Software Engineering, Washington, D.C.: IEEE Computer Society Press, 1987, pp. 328-338.

IS '95: guidelines for undergraduate IS curriculum

Abstract: This paper provides an overview report of the first joint curriculum development effort for undergraduate programs in information systems. The curriculum recommendations are a collaborative effort of the following organizations: ACM, AIS, DPMA, and ICIS. After a summary of the objectives and rationale for the curriculum, the curriculum model is described. Input and output attributes of graduates are delineated. Resource requirements for effective IS programs are then identified. Lastly, there is a proposal for maintaining currency of the curriculum through electronic media.

Therapeutic laparoscopy in trauma.

Abstract: Purpose : To assess the therapeutic potential of emergent laparoscopy in the trauma setting, a retrospective review was performed in a busy urban trauma center. Patients and methods : Between December 1991 and October 1993, 133 hemodynamically stable patients with suspected abdominal injury were evaluated laparoscopically. All laparoscopic procedures were performed in the operating room under general anesthesia. Mechanism of injury was stab wound (58), gunshot wound (57), and blunt trauma (18). No significant injuries were found in 72 patients (54%), and these patients received no further treatment. On the basis of laparoscopic findings, 52 patients underwent formal exploratory laparotomy. Surgical exploration confirmed the presence of significant injuries in 44 of the 52 patients (85%). Therapeutic laparoscopy was performed in 6 patients (5%) for diaphragm repair (4), gastrotomy repair (1), and splenorrhaphy (1). Additionally, 10 patients underwent laparoscopy-guided blood salvage for autotransfusion during laparoscopic evaluation of blunt trauma. Three small-bowel enterotomies were repaired during minilaparotomy. Results : No significant injuries were missed as a result of our use of laparoscopy in trauma assessment. Complications—trocar enterotomy, trocar laceration of the interior epigastric artery, and transient hypotension—occurred in 3 patients secondary to the use of laparoscopy. Conclusions : Trauma laparoscopy is a safe method for the evaluation of selected patients with abdominal trauma and can reduce the number of negative and nontherapeutic trauma laparotomies performed. Limited therapeutic intervention is possible in a small number of patients.

Electromagnetically triggered, responsive gel based drug delivery device

Abstract: A system for remotely inducing a phase transition in a gel is provided. The system includes a gel capable of volume change in response to an environmental stimulus, a seed material in contact with the gel, and generating a time-varying magnetic or a time-varying electric or electromagnetic field in the proximity of the gel to produce the environmental stimulus. In a preferred embodiment, the environmental stimulus is temperature.

Apprehension, self‐perceived competency, and teacher immediacy in the laboratory‐supported public speaking course: Trends and relationships

Abstract: This study examines trends and relationships among public speaking anxiety, self‐perceived public speaking competency, and teacher immediacy for students with high, moderate, and low communication apprehension in the laboratory‐supported public speaking course. Public speaking anxiety and self‐perceived competency were measured at three points during the semester. Trends of anxiety and self‐perceived competency for high, moderate, and low apprehensives were examined using two 3 × 3 mixed‐model factorial ANOVAs (one‐between and one‐within factors). All three apprehension groups perceived significant gains in competency and significant decreases in anxiety. Analyses failed to find differences among high, moderate, and low apprehensives in the amount of perceived improvement and anxiety decrease. Correlations revealed a significant negative relationship between anxiety and self‐perceived competency at each of the three test times. Correlations also revealed that there is a significant positive relationship b...

Method for power control in a TDMA spread spectrum communication system

Abstract: A simple and flexible over-air protocol for use with a mobile telephone system, having hand-held telephones in a microcell or other type of cellular communication system. A method in which user stations communicate with one or more base stations to place and receive telephone calls, in which the user stations are provided a secure voice or data link and have the ability to handoff calls between base stations while such calls are in progress. Each base station has a set of "air channels" to which it transmits in sequence. The air channels supported by each base station are called that base station's "polling loop". A user station receives general polling information on an unoccupied air channel, transmits responsive information to the base station, and awaits acknowledgment from the base station. Each base station may therefore simultaneously maintain communication with as many user stations as there are air channels in its polling loop. The ability of a user station to communicate on any unoccupied air channel makes the protocol air-channel agile, while the stability of user station and base station clocks may define air channels, gaps, and minor frames.

Process for fabricating ferroelectric integrated circuit

Abstract: An oversize ferroelectric capacitor is located against the contact hole to the MOSFET source/drain in a DRAM. A barrier layer made of titanium nitride, titanium tungsten, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, indium tin oxide, tin dioxide, ruthenium oxide, silicon, silicide, or polycide lies between the ferroelectric layer and the source drain. The barrier layer may act as the bottom electrode of the ferroelectric capacitor, or a separate bottom electrode made of platinum may be used. In another embodiment in which the barrier layer forms the bottom electrode, an oxide layer less than 5 nm thick is located between the barrier layer and the ferroelectric layer and the barrier layer is made of silicon, silicide, or polycide. A thin silicide layer forms and ohmic contact between the barrier layer and the source/drain. The capacitor and the barrier layer are patterned in a single mask step. The ends of the capacitor are stepped or tapered. In another embodiment both the bottom and top electrode may be made of silicon, silicide, polycide or a conductive oxide, such as indium tin oxide, tin dioxide, or ruthenium oxide.

Foundational issues in evolution education

Abstract: There is a great need for effective evolution education. This paper reviews some of the evidence that demonstrates that need and analyzes some of the foundational semantic, epistemological, and philosophical issues involved. This analysis is used to provide a functional understanding of the distinction between science and non-science. Special emphasis is placed the scientific meaning of the terms theory, hypothesis, fact, proof, evidence, and truth, focusing on the difference between religious belief and acceptance of a scientific theory. Science is viewed as theologically neutral and as not mutually exclusive from religion. Finally, a number of practical recommendations to the classroom biology teacher are presented.

cyanoacrylate adhesive compositions.

Abstract: Alkyl cyanoacrylate compositions comprising at least one alkyl cyanoacrylate, a biocompatible plasticizer (preferably dioctyl phthalate), and SO2 as an anionic polymerization inhibitor are provided. These compositions are suitable for topical application to human skin.