GSPS photonic analogue to digital conversion system using broadband continuous wave source

An 80 GSPS photonic ADC system is demonstrated, using broadband MLL and dispersive fibre to form a continuous waveform with time-wavelength mapping, and AWG to channelise. Tests are carried out for RF signals up to 10GHz. © 2005 Optical Society of America.

On-line topographic analysis in the SEM

A novel method for on-line topographic analysis of rough surfaces in the SEM has been investigated. It utilises a digital minicomputer configured to act as a programmable scan generator and automatic focusing unit. The computer is coupled to the microscope through digital-to-analogue converters which enable it to generate ramp waveforms allowing the beam to be scanned over a small sub-region of the field under program control. A further digital-to-analogue converter regulates the current supply to the objective lens of the microscope. The video signal is sampled by means of an analogue-to-digital converter and the resultant binary code stored in the computer's memory as an array of numbers describing relative image intensity. Computations based on the intensity gradient of the image allow the objective lens current to be found for the in-focus condition, which may be related to the working distance through a previous calibration experiment. The sensitivity of the method for detecting small height changes is theoretically of the order of 1 μm. In practice the operator specifies features of interest by means of a mobile spot cursor injected into the SEM display screen, or he may scan the specimen at sub-regions corresponding to pre-determined points on a regular grid defined by him. The operation then proceeds under program control. | A novel method for on-line topographic analysis of rough surfaces in the SEM has been investigated. It utilizes a digital minicomputer configured to act as a programmable scan generator and automatic focusing unit. A further digital-to-analog converter regulates the current supply to the objective lens of the microscope. The video signal is sampled by means of an analog-to-digital converter and the resultant binary code stored in the computer's memory as an array of numbers describing relative image intensity. The sensitivity of the method for detecting small height changes is theroretically of the order of 1 mu m.

A trichordal temporal approach to digital coordination: the sociomaterial mangling of the CERN grid

This paper develops a sociomaterial perspective on digital coordination. It extends Pickering’s mangle of practice by using a trichordal approach to temporal emergence. We provide new understanding as to how the nonhuman and human agencies involved in coordination are embedded in the past, present, and future. We draw on an in-depth field study conducted between 2006 and 2010 of the development, introduction, and use of a computing grid infrastructure by the CERN particle physics community. Three coordination tensions are identified at different temporal dimensions, namelyobtaining adequate transparency in the present, modeling a future infrastructure, and the historical disciplining of social and material inertias. We propose and develop the concept of digital coordination, and contribute a trichordal temporal approach to understanding the development and use of digital infrastructure as being orientated to the past and future while emerging in the present.

80 GSPS photonic analogue to digital conversion system using broadband continuous wave source

An 80 GSPS photonic ADC system is demonstrated, using broadband MLL and dispersive fibre to form a continuous waveform with time-wavelength mapping, and AWG to channelise. Tests are carried out for RF signals up to 10GHz. © 2005 Optical Society of America.

Voltage Sensing Using an Asynchronous Charge-to-Digital Converter for Energy-Autonomous Environments

In future systems with relatively unreliable and unpredictable energy sources such as harvesters, the system power supply may become non-deterministic. For energy effective operations, Vdd is an important parameter in any meaningful system control mechanism. Reliable and accurate on-chip voltage sensors are therefore indispensible for the power and computation management of such systems. Existing voltage sensing methods are not suitable because they usually require a stable and known reference (voltage, current, time, frequency, etc.), which is difficult to obtain in this environment. This paper describes an autonomous reference-free voltage sensor designed using an asynchronous counter powered by the charge on a capacitor and a small controller. Unlike existing methods, the voltage information is directly generated as a digital code. The sensor, fabricated in the 180 nm technology node, was tested successfully through performing measurements over the voltage range from 1.8 V down to 0.8 V.

Southampton Open Data Service - Talk to Digital Economy Group

This is a talk on the new University Open Data Service, some of the applications it's already being put to, and some of the things we hope to do next.

Drivers and barriers to digital television adoption in Portugal: the perspectives of the TV viewers and other main stakeholders

To understand what are the most significant factors for digital TV adoption by the Portuguese population in the switchover context is the main goal of the research project here presented. In April 26, 2012, the analogue terrestrial television switchoff is planned to occur in Portugal, according to the schedule published by the national telecommunication regulator Anacom. Digital terrestrial TV was launched in the country in April 2009, making Portugal one of the countries with a more ambitious schedule – or risky, depending on the perspective - for the full transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television. In this paper we will start by presenting the research project’s objectives, theoretical framework and research design. Next, we will present first results of the project focused on the barriers and drivers to digital TV adoption from two of the empirical studies which integrate it, namely, the quantitative inquiry administered to a representative sample of the Portuguese population and interviews with main stakeholders in the area of digital TV in Portugal. The perspectives of the television viewers are compared with other main stakeholders in this process. The paper will be concluded with a brief discussion of these results and a brief enumeration of next steps for the project.

Factors affecting regional SMEs progression to Digital Business Ecosystems

SMEs are widely recognized as an important driving force of economic growth, yet, their uptake of ICT is still very low. Tosupport SMEs ICT adoption and to foster regional development, in 2000, the Lisbon Strategy on the Information Society andKnowledge-based economy created a vision for 2010 towards the creation of the European Digital Business Ecosystems(DBE). This paper is positioned within that context and reports upon a project involving 6000 SMEs whose aim was tosupport ICT adoption and to encourage SME networks through the creation of a Regional Business Portal. The papere xplores factors affecting the regional SMEs participating in the DBE. An in-depth longitudinal case study approach was adopted and multiple sources of evidence were used. Many factors affecting SMEs progression to DBE were identified:including people and organization, environmental, diffusion networks, technological, regional and time factors

Targeting medication non-adherence behavior in selected autoimmune diseases: a systematic approach to digital health program development

Background 29 autoimmune diseases, including Rheumatoid Arthritis, gout, Crohn’s Disease, and Systematic Lupus Erythematosus affect 7.6-9.4% of the population. While effective therapy is available, many patients do not follow treatment or use medications as directed. Digital health and Web 2.0 interventions have demonstrated much promise in increasing medication and treatment adherence, but to date many Internet tools have proven disappointing. In fact, most digital interventions continue to suffer from high attrition in patient populations, are burdensome for healthcare professionals, and have relatively short life spans. Objective Digital health tools have traditionally centered on the transformation of existing interventions (such as diaries, trackers, stage-based or cognitive behavioral therapy programs, coupons, or symptom checklists) to electronic format. Advanced digital interventions have also incorporated attributes of Web 2.0 such as social networking, text messaging, and the use of video. Despite these efforts, there has not been little measurable impact in non-adherence for illnesses that require medical interventions, and research must look to other strategies or development methodologies. As a first step in investigating the feasibility of developing such a tool, the objective of the current study is to systematically rate factors of non-adherence that have been reported in past research studies. Methods Grounded Theory, recognized as a rigorous method that facilitates the emergence of new themes through systematic analysis, data collection and coding, was used to analyze quantitative, qualitative and mixed method studies addressing the following autoimmune diseases: Rheumatoid Arthritis, gout, Crohn’s Disease, Systematic Lupus Erythematosus, and inflammatory bowel disease. Studies were only included if they contained primary data addressing the relationship with non-adherence. Results Out of the 27 studies, four non-modifiable and 11 modifiable risk factors were discovered. Over one third of articles identified the following risk factors as common contributors to medication non-adherence (percent of studies reporting): patients not understanding treatment (44%), side effects (41%), age (37%), dose regimen (33%), and perceived medication ineffectiveness (33%). An unanticipated finding that emerged was the need for risk stratification tools (81%) with patient-centric approaches (67%). Conclusions This study systematically identifies and categorizes medication non-adherence risk factors in select autoimmune diseases. Findings indicate that patients understanding of their disease and the role of medication are paramount. An unexpected finding was that the majority of research articles called for the creation of tailored, patient-centric interventions that dispel personal misconceptions about disease, pharmacotherapy, and how the body responds to treatment. To our knowledge, these interventions do not yet exist in digital format. Rather than adopting a systems level approach, digital health programs should focus on cohorts with heterogeneous needs, and develop tailored interventions based on individual non-adherence patterns.