Path Representation in Circuit Netlists Using Linear-Sized ZDDs with Optimal Variable Ordering

The efficient representation and manipulation of a large number of paths in a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) requires the usage of special data structures that may become of exponential size with respect to the size of the graph. Several methodologies targeting Electronic Design Automation problems such as timing analysis, physical design, verification and testing involve path representation and necessary manipulation. Previous works proposed an encoding using Zero-suppressed Binary Decision Diagrams (ZDDs), which has been shown experimentally to cope well when representing structural or logical paths in VLSI circuits. However, it is well known that the ordering of the variables in a ZDD highly affects its size and, therefore, the efficiency of the methodologies utilizing these data structures. In this work, we show that using a reverse topological order for the ZDD variables bounds the number of nodes in the ZDD representing structural paths to the number of edges in the DAG considered, hence, making the ZDD size linear to the DAG’s size. This result, supported here both theoretically and experimentally, is very important as it can render methodologies with questionable scalability applicable to larger industrial designs. We demonstrate the applicability of the proposed variable ordering in one such methodology which utilizes ZDDs to grade the Path Delay Fault coverage of a given test set.     

An EWMA signed ranks control chart with reliable run length performances

During the design phase of a control chart, the determination of its exact run length properties plays a vital role for its optimal operation. Markov chain or integral equation methods have been extensively applied in the design phase of conventional control charts. However, for distribution-free schemes, due to the discrete nature of the statistics being used (such as the sign or the Wilcoxon signed rank statistics, for instance), it is impossible to accurately compute their run length properties. In this work, a modified distribution-free phase II exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA)-type chart based on the Wilcoxon signed rank statistic is considered and its exact run length properties are discussed. A continuous transformation of the Wilcoxon signed rank statistic, combined with the classical Markov chain method, is used for the determination of the average run length in the in- and out-of control cases. Moreover, its exact performance is derived without any knowledge of the distribution of sample observations. Finally, an illustrative example is provided showing the practical implementation of our proposed chart.     

Three-level designs: Evaluation and comparison for screening purposes

Since their introduction by Box and Hunter, resolution criteria have been widely used when comparing regular fractional factorials designs. In this article, we investigate how a generalized resolution criterion can be used to assess some recently developed three-level screening designs, such as definitive screening designs (DSDs) and screening designs from weighing matrices. The aim of this paper is to capture the projection properties of those three-level screening designs, complementing the work of Deng and Tang, who used generalized resolution and minimum aberration criteria for ranking different two-level designs, particularly Plackett-Burman and other nonregular factorial designs. An advantage of generalized resolution, extended here to work on three-level designs, is that it offers a useful criterion for ranking three-level screening designs, whereas the Deng and Tang resolution is used mainly for the assessment of two-level designs. In addition, we applied a projection estimation capacity (PEC) criterion to select three-level screening designs with desirable properties. Practical examples and the best projections of the designs are presented in tables.     

A simple example of an indirect estimator with discontinuous limit theory in the MA(1) model

Indirect estimators usually emerge from two‐step optimization procedures. Each step in such a procedure may induce complexities in the asymptotic theory of the estimator. In this note, we are occupied with a simple example in which the estimator defined by the inversion of the binding function has a ‘discontinuous’ limit theory even in cases where the auxiliary one does not. This example lives in the framework of estimation of the MA (1) parameter. The ‘discontinuities’ involve the dependence of the rate of convergence on the parameter, the non‐continuity of the limit distribution w.r.t. the parameter and the estimator's non‐regularity. We are also occupied with a more complex example where the discontinuities occur because of complexities induced in any step of the defining procedure. We present some Monte Carlo evidence on the quality of the approximations from the limit distributions. Copyright © 2014 Wiley Publishing Ltd     

Assessing low-carbon energy technologies against sustainability and resilience criteria: results of a European experts survey

The aim of this article is the assessment of low-carbon energy technologies in Europe against a set of sustainability and resilience criteria. The assessment was based on a survey that was conducted among 40 European experts. Solar Photovoltaic was the technology that proved to achieve high performance against many criteria, whereas nuclear was assessed by the experts with relatively low performance against most of the criteria. Furthermore, it became evident that there is high degree of convergence between the experts, and therefore high degree of confidence, on specific aspects such as the high level of public resistance against Nuclear and the low stability of energy generation of wind onshore. The experts had major disagreements on the performance of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies against technological maturity and innovative ability criteria, which reveals a high degree of uncertainty on how CCS will be deployed in the future, pointing out a direction for future research.     

On the limit theory of the Gaussian SQMLE in the EGARCH(1,1) model

We derive the limit theory of the Gaussian stable quasi maximum likelihood estimator for the stationary EGARCH(1,1) model when the squared innovation process has marginals with regularly varying tails. We derive regularly varying rates and limiting stable distributions. We perform Monte Carlo experiments to assess the extent of the parameter space corresponding to the invertibility condition, and the quality of the asymptotic approximation.     

Blind Position Location via Geometric Loci Construction

A new position location technique is proposed, using received signal strength measurements, which can be implemented using inexpensive off-the-shelf equipment. The proposed technique is based on geometric loci construction, and overcomes the need for onsite calibration measurements or propagation prediction tools and topographical/architectural plans of the covered area. The proposed algorithm exhibits similar simulated performance compared to a recently proposed positioning technique, but without the need of model calibration. In addition, measurements results are also presented, demonstrating the performance of the algorithm.     

Preparation and nonlinear optical response of novel palladium-containing micellar nanohybrids

The synthesis and characterization of novel micellar nanohybrids with controllable sizes consisting of palladium nanosized core and covered by well-defined poly(lauryl methacrylate)-block-poly(2-(acetoacetoxy)ethyl methacrylate) (pLauMA-b-pAEMA) diblock copolymers are reported. Their nonlinear optical (NLO) response (i.e. nonlinear refraction and absorption and the third-order susceptibility χ⁽³⁾) is also studied under 35 ps laser excitation both in the visible and in the infrared and found to be insensitive to the size of the micelles while it was found to be greatly affected by the molar fraction of the AEMA block. To the best of our knowledge it is the first time that such Pd micellar nanohybrids are synthesized and investigated towards their NLO properties. The magnitude of the nonlinear optical response of these nanohybrids renders them promising candidates for potential optoelectronic applications.