VARIABILITY IN ASSEMBLY AND COMPETING SYSTEMS: EFFECT ON PERFORMANCE AND RECOVERY

We examine the effect of variability on the performance of an assembly system where two stations feed another station and a competing system where two independent stations are fed by a single station. We study the impact of variability in processing times, variability due to unreliable workstations, and variability due to imperfect yield. The above impact is examined for both PUSH and PULL manufacturing environments. We also discuss design features of the two configurations that could be used to recover part of the output lost due to variability.     

Antifeedant activity of quassinoids

The antifeedant activity of 13 quassinoids of different structural types has been studied against the Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis Mulsant) 4th instar larvae and the southern armyworm (Spodoptera eridania Crawer) 5th instar larvae. All quassinoids tested displayed significant activity against the Mexican bean beetle and, thus, do not reveal a simple structure-activity relationship. Five quassinoids were active against the southern armyworm. Interestingly, four of these-bruceantin (I), glaucarubinone (VI), isobruceine A (VIII), and simalikalactone D (XI)-possess the required structural features for antineoplastic activity. The noncytotoxic quassin (X) is an exception; it is active against both pests.     

Power-constrained testing for bridging and stuck short faults in CMOS combinational circuits

An increasing demand for the portable applications has elevated power consumption to be the most critical parameter. A transistor level model and a testing methodology are presented for detected bridging and stuck short faults in CMOS combinatorial circuits, with the power consumption as a major constraint during testing. The circuits are modeled by the CTF (Current Transfer Function) model. The quiescent current (IDDQ) measurement technique is utilized as the testing methodology. Transistor stuck open faults, that can change the test vector for IDDQ, are incorporated in the model. Simulation using hspice is carried out to support the results.     

Attenuation of 4-hydroxynonenal-induced cataractogenesis in rat lens by butylated hydroxytoluene

PURPOSE: We have previously shown that 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) causes opacification of cultured rat lenses and that a novel group of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) exhibit high specific activity towards 4-HNE. Previous studies have shown that t-butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) induced GSTs in cultured rat lens. Therefore, the purpose of the present studies was to investigate if the opacification of rat lenses exposed to 4-HNE is ameliorated by pre-culturing the lenses in media containing BHT. METHODS: Rat lenses were divided into four groups. Group I and II were controls and groups III and IV were cultured in the presence of 100 microM 4-HNE. Groups II and IV were pre-cultured in the media containing 10 microM BHT for 24 hrs which was designated as 0 time point. Lenses were withdrawn at 24 and 72 h and evaluated for opacification by digital image analysis. Induction of the specific GST isozyme (gammaGST8-8) was studied in the lens epithelium by immunohistochemical studies. Results. Digital image analysis revealed amelioration in opacification induced by 4-HNE, when the lenses were precultured with BHT. Immunohistochemical studies show that BHT induced GST8-8 several folds in the epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: These studies indicate that pretreatment with BHT would increase the lens capacity to detoxify 4-HNE by conjugating it with GSH, thus assigning an important detoxication role to this specific GST isozyme in oxidative cataract.     

Nasal sill augmentation in adult incomplete cleft lip nose deformity using superiorly based turn over orbicularis oris muscle flap: an anatomic approach

Adult incomplete cleft lip nose deformity is not uncommon in India. Poverty, ignorance, and parental neglect account for its late presentation. Besides the classical features of cleft lip nose deformity, the constant findings observed in this patient population have been a widened and depressed nasal sill. This is attributable to the sparse, hypoplastic, and abnormally orientated orbicularis oris muscle in the region of the sill. Failure to restore the nasal sill symmetry by suitably augmenting the sill frequently leads to unsatisfactory and asymmetric results. However, in the literature, satisfactory restoration of the nasal sill has not been given the importance it deserves while performing cleft lip rhinoplasty. We present a method of augmenting the depressed nasal sill in cases of adult incomplete nose deformity using a superiorly based orbicularis oris muscle flap, which is harvested from the soft tissues between the apex of the cleft and the nostril sill. Following de-epithelialization of the overlying skin, the exposed muscle is raised as a superiorly based flap after dissecting it from the underlying mucosa. It is folded, turned over, and tucked into the nasal sill base and anchored to the anterior nasal spine to give the desired augmentation. Satisfactory results have been obtained in 18 cases of nasal deformity associated with incomplete cleft lip. In our opinion, this technique offers a simple and effective method of augmenting the depressed sill by utilizing locally available tissues and without the need for procuring autologous tissue from distant sites.     

Pump-probe measurements of CMOS detector rise time in the blue

This paper proposes the use of shorter wavelengths and monolithic integration for chip-to-chip and on-chip optical communication. The promise of monolithic detectors for high-speed interconnection is demonstrated through experimental measurements and matching simulations. Responsivities >0.06 A/W and transit-time-limited response can be expected in the blue from planar p-i-n silicon-on-insulator (SOI) detectors.     

Thermal degradation studies of cellulose phosphates and cellulose thiophosphates

The thermal degradation of cellulose, cellulose phosphates, and cellulose thiophosphates was studied by differential thermal analysis, dynamic thermogravimetry, and derivative thermogravimetry from ambient temperature up to 750°C. Various thermodynamic parameters for different stages of thermal degradation of cellulose and its derivatives have been obtained following the methods of Broido, and Freeman and Carroll. Infrared spectra of thermally degraded samples were obtained. The data were analyzed in an effort to obtain more information concerning the flame-retardant mechanisms of cellulose phosphates and cellulose thiophosphates. Lower values of decomposition temperatures and activation energies of decomposition and higher char yields of cellulose phosphates as compared to cellulose lead to the conclusion that cellulose phosphorus esters are good flame retardants, and this property is retained even when these esters were subjected to ion exchange by Na⁺ and K⁺ ions. However, with the introduction of sulphur atoms, there was some decrease in this property.