Some Experiences with the Teaching of Decision Support Systems to Management Students

There are essentially two schools of thought regarding the function of decision support systems. One is that the main purpose is to support the decision-maker in whatever style of decision-making he or she wishes. The other is that the support, while suiting the decision-maker's individual style, must also be based on an appropriate theoretical paradigm. The work with students of decision support systems reported here suggests that the latter, normative, view is not one which comes naturally to many of the students, even when working on an example where it seemed relatively easy to incorporate. Other conclusions are also presented, relating to the choice of software for decision support system development, the process of teaching about decision support systems, and group formation.     

Characterization of electrodeposited nickel film surfaces using atomic force microscopy

Microstructures of nickel surfaces electrodeposited on indium tin oxides coated glasses are investigated using atomic force microscopy. The fractal dimension D and Hurst exponent H of the nickel surface images are determined from a frequency analysis method proposed by Aguilar et al. [J. Microsc. 172 (1993) 233] and from Hurst rescaled range analysis. The two methods are found to give the same value of the fractal dimension D∼2.0. The roughness exponent α and growth exponent β that characterize scaling behaviors of the surface growth in electrodeposition are calculated using the height-difference correlation function and interface width in Fourier space. The exponents of α∼1.0 and β∼0.8 show that the surface growth does not belong to the universality classes theoretically predicted by statistical growth models.     

Current trends in muonium chemistry

As “rapporteur” for the papers submitted to this conference in the general area of muonium chemistry, I briefly review the major developments since μSR86, and attempt to show how the papers presented at μSR90 relate to each other and work published in the intervening years. Some topics are discussed in more detail than others, reflecting my own interests and views on what is of current importance. Nevertheless, I try to cover all current research in muonium chemistry. The major areas are: early events following muon thermalization, including subsequent loss of muon polarization (the “missing fraction”); molecular structure and dynamics, primarily of muonium-substituted free radicals: and reaction kinetics.     

A globally convergent multi-grid algorithm for moving boundary problems of two-phase Stefan type

In this paper we deal with the numerical solution of movingboundary problems of two-phase Stefan type. Based on an implicitdiscretization in time and the use of continuous, piecewiselinear finite elements in the space variables with respect tothe weak formulation of the problem, a globally convergent multi-gridalgorithm is developed. That algorithm strongly relies on thevariational characterization of the fully discretized problemas the unconstrained minimization of a subdifferentiable convexobjective functional. Numerical results indicate a significantimprovement in efficiency compared with previous multi-gridapproaches.     

Even denominator filling factors in the thermoelectric power of a 2DEG

We have investigated the interaction of phonons with a 2DEG in the FQH regime with phonon drag thermoelectric power (TEP). We find that the TEP at filling factors with the same even denominator is identical and at other even denominator filling factors they differ only by a constant. Assuming these states to be Composite Fermions (CF), we can explain our observations by extending a zero magnetic field theory for phonon drag to the CF-phonon interaction. This analysis is further corroborated by the observed T⁴ dependence of the CF TEP.     

Crossing of shears bands in196Pb

High-spin states in¹⁹⁶Pb have been populated using the reaction¹⁷⁰Er(³⁰Si,4n). The previously observed shears bands in this nucleus have been extended and some of their transitions have been reordered. They now form regular bands with band crossings. One of the bands splits into two pathways at high spin.     

Electronic and electromagnetic devices for millimeter-wave beam control arrays

Device alternatives for millimeter-wave beam control arrays are examined. For the control function, a wide range of semiconductor device as well as bulk material alternatives are considered. In addition, alternatives to the traditional metal strip are considered for the passive electromagnetic array element. This work should provide a broader perspective regarding the choices available for the optimized design of new beam control arrays.     

Modeling the pressure dependence of DC bias voltage in asymmetric,capacitive RF sheaths

A semianalytical model for capacitively coupled radio frequency (RF) sheaths of asymmetric (unequal electrode area) systems has been developed. It can be applied in the high-frequency (ω > ω _pi) regime at different pressures. An analytical approximation to the pressure-dependent ion density profile is used. The time-varying electric field and potential within the sheath are obtained by solving Poisson's equation. The current balance and zero net DC current conditions are applied to solve for the RF sheath parameters and DC bias voltage. The DC voltage ratio between the powered and grounded electrode sheaths increases as the pressure decreases, which results in a larger DC bias voltage at lower pressures     

Separation of non UV-absorbing cations by capillary electrophoresis

Summary A new buffer system for the separation of cations with capillary electrophoresis using indirect UV-detection is described. p-Aminopyridine can be used in the wide pH-range between 3 and 10. High-speed separations of positively charged non-UV absorbing ions are possible. Separation of ions with similar mobilities can be achieved by the addition of complexation reagents. The separation of potassium and ammonium is possible either with the addition of crown ether or at high pH-values. Transition metals can be separated by adding 2-hydroxybutyric acid to the buffer.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Wilhelm Fresenius on the occasion of his 80th birthday