Efficient simulation of hierarchical stochastic activity network models

Stochastic extensions to Petri nets have gained widespread acceptance as a method for describing the dynamic behavior of discrete-event systems. Both simulation and analytic methods have been proposed to solve such models. This paper describes a set of efficient procedures for simulating models that are represented as stochastic activity networks (SANs, a variant of stochastic Petri nets) and composed SAN-based reward models (SBRMs). Composed SBRMs are a hierarchical representation for SANs, in which individual SAN models can be replicated and joined together with other models, in an iterative fashion. The procedures exploit the hierarchical structure and symmetries introduced by the replicate operation in a composed SBRM to reduce the cost of future event list management. The procedures have been implemented as part of a larger performance-dependability modeling package known asUltraSAN, and have been applied to real, large-scale applications. This work was supported in part by the Digital Equipment Corporation Faculty Program: Incentives for Excellence.     

Stabilization of uncertain boundary control systems

We consider a class of linear infinite-dimensional systems subject to boundary uncertainties, which are linear and time-invariant. Using a deterministic approach to the design of stabilizing feedback controls, uniform exponential stability of the zero state is achieved. Lyapunov techniques are combined with Datko or Ichikawa theory. Three illustrative examples are presented.     

Nitric oxide reduction and carbon monoxide oxidation over carbon-supported copper-chromium catalysts

Carbon supported copper-chromium catalysts are shown to be very active for both the reduction of nitric oxide with carbon monoxide and the oxidation of carbon monoxide with oxygen. Mixed copper-chromium oxide active phases have good activity in the simultaneous removal of nitric oxide and carbon monoxide from exhaust gases. The influence of several catalyst variables has been investigated. The activity per volume of catalyst increases with increasing loading, while the intrinsic activity shows a maximum around C/M=100−50. An optimum catalyst for nitric oxide reduction and carbon monoxide oxidation has a copper/chromium ratio of 2/1. The apparent activation energy for the carbon monoxide oxidation over carbon supported copper-chromium catalysts is 77 kJ/mol, suggesting that the Cu---O bond rupture is the rate-limiting process. The reduction of nitric oxide takes place at higher temperatures. Since all catalysts have a low selectivity for molecular nitrogen formation at lower temperatures, the dissociation of nitric oxide is probably rate determining, resulting in a slightly reduced catalyst system. In an excess of carbon monoxide the reaction is first-order in nitric oxide and zero-order in carbon monoxide. Moisture inhibits the reaction by reversible competitive adsorption, whereas carbon dioxide does not. Oxygen completely inhibits the reduction of nitric oxide due to the more rapid reoxidation of the catalytic sites compared to nitric oxide. Therefore, the reduction of nitric oxide takes place only when all oxygen has been converted and, hence, is shifted to higher temperatures. As a possible consequence, the production of nitrous oxide is reduced. Nitric oxide and molecular oxygen react preferentially with carbon monoxide, so, in an excess of oxidizing component, gasification of the carbon support occurs at higher temperatures after carbon monoxide has been completely consumed.     

Structural and chemical analysis of C : H,O /Si : H,O multilayers deposited by reactive RF sputtering

Hydro-oxygenated carbon (C : H,O) and silicon (Si : H,O) layers are deposited by RF sputtering of graphite and silicon targets in a mixture of argon, hydrogen and oxygen gases. C : H,O/Si : H,O/C : H,O/Si : H,O... multilayers are obtained by sequential deposition of C : H,O and Si : H,O layers. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, Grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction (GIXD) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) techniques have been used to analyse the formed multilayers. The IR spectra made on as deposited structures show the presence of Si---C, Si---O, C---O, Si---H, C---H and C=C bonds. This result indicates an interfacial reactivity between Si : H,O and C : H,O layers. The latter result is confirmed by the XPS measurements. After an annealing at 850°c for two hours under argon atmosphere (10^-3 mbar), the concentration of the Si---C bonds is increased by a factor two while the Si---H and C---H bonds disappear complet The GIXD measurements show that the multilayers are amorphous when annealed below 750°C, and they are crystallized with the formation of the α-SiC phase if the heat treatment is made at 850°C. The mean size of the microcrystallites is 50 Å about.     

4*4 directional coupler switch matrix with an InGaAlAs/InAlAs multiquantum well structure

A 4*4 directional coupler switch matrix is developed which uses, for the first time, the quantum confined Stark effect of InGaAlAs/InAlAs multiquantum well structures. The rearrangeable nonblocking 4*4 network with six 2*2 switches is shown to be perfectly functional with switching voltages between 5 and 6 V and crosstalk below -17 dB in all the operation states.<>     

Highly reliable 200 mW AlGaAs laser diode with fundamental transverse mode

A highly reliable 200 mW AlGaAs laser diode with a fundamental transverse mode has been developed, by optimising its structure with a 0.8 mu m thick p-cladding layer, a 1200 mu m long cavity length, and a front facet coating with a low reflectivity of 2%. The maximum output power was 500 mW, and stable fundamental transverse mode operation was obtained up to 350 mW. Stable operation under 200 mW and 50 degrees C was confirmed for more than 1200 h. Optical feedback noise was below 3*10/sup -14/ Hz/sup -1/.<>     

The TINA initiative [intelligent networks]

The telecommunications information networking architecture (TINA), which builds on the current advances in broadband communication and distributed computing technologies, specifying a software-based architecture for future information networks that are required to transport multimedia information and manage multimedia communication, is described. An important aspect of the architecture is that service segment functions are separated from delivery segment functions. Another key aspect is the elimination of the rigid division between network applications and operations applications that exists in current-day networks. In the TINA architecture, both kinds of applications execute on a common distributed processing platform that hides from applications the effects and complexities introduced by distribution. The architecture supports application interoperability enabling flexible construction of services, composed of service components distributed across network domains, allowing network operators and service providers to cooperatively meet the needs of the user     

Reduction of noise figure in semiconductor laser amplifiers with Ga1-xInxAs/GaInAsP/InP strained quantum wellstructures

The noise characteristics of semiconductor laser amplifiers (SLAs) in the Ga_1-xIn_xAs/GaInAsP/InP strained quantum well (QW) system are theoretically calculated and analyzed using density-matrix theory and taking into account the effects of band mixing on both the valence subbands and the transition dipole moments. The numerical results show that a reduced noise figure can be obtained in both tensile and compressively strained QW structures due to the increase in differential gain and the decrease in transparent carrier density. From a comparison among compressively strained (x=0.70), unstrained (x=0.53), and tensile strained (x=0.40) QW SLAs at a fixed carrier density and optical confinement factor, it is found that the noise figure of the tensile strained QW reaches its lowest value of 3.4 dB at average input optical power of -20 dB     

Dietary α-Tocopheryl Acetate Enhances Beef Quality in Holstein and Beef Breed Steers

The effect of long-term feeding (252 days) of three supplemental levels of α-tocopheryl acetate (actual 0, 360 and 1290 IU/head/day) on meat quality was evaluated in Holstein and beef breed steers. Tissue vitamin E concentrations were increased by each increment of supplementation. The color display life of fresh beef under simulated retail conditions was extended 2 to 5 days by vitamin E and lipid oxidation was markedly reduced. Microbial population was not affected by level of supplementation. No deterioration in sensory quality occurred for steaks from supplemented steers that were displayed until the time steaks from unsupplemented steers discolored.     

Correlation between serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and ferritin in male blood donors with antibody to hepatitis C virus

Chronic hepatitis C has been demonstrated to be associated with hepatic iron overload, and the hypothesis that the disease activity of hepatitis C is associated with iron cytotoxicity was tested in male volunteer blood donors. Sera with either antibody to hepatitis C virus or hepatitis B surface antigen were selected for determination of ferritin concentration and alanine aminotransferase activity. A correlation between serum ferritin concentration (Y; microgram/l) and alanine aminotransferase activity (X; IU/l) was found in donors with antibody to hepatitis C (log Y = 0.65 x log X + 0.98, r = 0.53, and P < 0.01). The correlation was lower in donors with hepatitis B surface antigen (r = 0.37; P < 0.01). Hepatitis C virus infection probably induces time-dependent iron accumulation associated with the progression of disease activity, while hepatitis B virus infection results in a variety of iron loads with different clinical features. The high disease activity related to hyperferritinemia suggests the presence of iron-induced liver damage in donors with hepatitis C.