Aggregative data infrastructures (ADIs) are information systems where organizations can find the tools to integrate their data sources to form uniform and richer information spaces of object metadata descriptions. Novel sustainable approaches for the realization of ADIs are based on the adoption of ADI enabling technologies which support the realization, maintenance and upgrade of ADIs and prom...

The ability of an electrical discharge to stimulate the heart depends on the duration of the pulse, the voltage and the current density that reaches the heart. Stun guns deliver very short electrical pulses with minimal amount of current at high voltages. We discuss external stimulation of the heart by high voltage discharges and review studies that have evaluated the potential of stun guns to ...

We present an experimental study of several common perturbations of wire waveguides for terahertz pulses. Sommerfeld waves retain significant signal strength and bandwidth even with large gaps in the wire, exhibiting more efficient recoupling at higher frequencies. We also describe a detailed study of bending losses. For a given turn angle, we observe an optimum radius of curvature that minimiz...

BACKGROUND Since 2011, we have witnessed the rise of 'dark net' drug marketplaces known as cryptomarkets. Cryptomarkets operate on the same model as eBay as they provide a platform where authorized vendors can set up a virtual shop and place listings. Building on a growing body of literature that seeks to understand cryptomarket participants, this paper seeks to explain the decision of cryptoma...

The nonlinear Schrödinger equation i (partial differential)(z)A(z,x,t)+(inverted Delta)(2)(x,t)A+[1+m(kappax)]|A|2A=0 models the propagation of ultrashort laser pulses in a planar waveguide for which the Kerr nonlinearity varies along the transverse coordinate x, and also the evolution of 2D Bose-Einstein condensates in which the scattering length varies in one dimension. Stability of bound sta...

BACKGROUND Older adults face important risky decisions about their health, their financial future, and their social environment. We examine age differences in risk-taking behaviors in multiple risk domains across the adult life span. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in which 528 participants from 18 to 93 years of age completed the Domain-Specific Risk-Taking (DOSPERT) scale, a s...

Linear dichroism and birefringence artifacts are a major source of concern in transient circular dichroism measurements. They mainly arise from interaction of an imperfectly circular polarized probe beam with a nonisotropic sample. We present in this article a procedure to generate mid-IR pulses of highly symmetric left and right handed circular or elliptical polarization states for transient V...

The fast changing environment and the complexity of projects has increased risk exposure. The PMBOK proposes a structured risk management process, integrated within the overall project management framework. However, unresolved difficulties call for further developments in the field. In projects, risks take place within a complex web of numerous interconnected causes and effects, which generate ...

Terahertz pulses trapped as surface waves on a wire waveguide can be flexibly transmitted and focused to sub-wavelength dimensions by using, for example, a tapered tip. This is particularly useful for applications that require high-field pulses. However, the generation of strong terahertz surface waves on a wire waveguide remains a challenge. Here, ultrafast field propagation along a metal wire...