Impact of structural steel flexibility and restraints gaps on the dynamic behaviour of piping

The effect of gaps present in the seismic supports of nuclear piping systems and of the flexibility of the steel structure to which intermediate supports are attached, is studied in this paper. An actual piping system is used to investigate the impact of structural steel and mechanical snubber gaps on the dynamic behaviour of piping. An evaluation is thus performed of the finite element modeling techniques employed by the designers in the dynamic analysis of piping systems.     

A Compositional Framework for Hardware/Software Co-Design

We describe a compositional framework, together with its supporting toolset, for hardware/software co-design. Our framework is an integration of a formal approach within a traditional design flow. The formal approach is based on Interval Temporal Logic and its executable subset, Tempura. Refinement is the key element in our framework because it will derivefrom a single formal specification of the system the software and hardware parts of the implementation, while preserving all properties of the system specification. During refinement simulation is used to choose the appropriate refinement rules, which are applied automatically in the HOL system. The framework is illustrated with two case studies. The work presented is part of a UK collaborative research project between the Software Technology Research Laboratory at the De Montfort University and the Oxford University Computing Laboratory.     

Stabilization of a Linear Discrete System: A Modification of the Problem

A method of constructing the minimal stabilizing sequence for an interval linear system over the field of real numbers is designed. The problem is shown to be reducible to an interval system of linear algebraic equations.     

Transmit/receive modules

This paper begins with a discussion of the microwave functions performed by transmit/receive (T/R) modules for phased-array antenna applications. The paper then addresses performance and cost aspects of semiconductor, packaging, and assembly technologies associated with T/R modules     

Design and performance of expanded mode fiber using microoptics

In order to relax alignment tolerances on single-mode fiber interconnection, we propose an end face treatment to realize an expanded mode fiber. This new technique consists of splicing fibers with various lengths and characteristics. The spot size and coupling properties are analyzed numerically considering the effects of gap, offset, and tilt. Low loss, wide misalignment tolerances, and low cost are achieved. The fabrication process and experiment results are presented. The performance of a connector with this expanded fiber is reported.     

Features of Investigation into the Properties of Glasses and Melts from the Late 19th Century to the Present Day

The evolution of investigations into glass properties is described with the use of the SciGlass information system on the basis of an analysis of the world literature on glass from the end of the 19th century to the present day. Variations in the total amount of published data, in the interest of researchers in certain glass components and their properties, in the specific features of forming research groups, and in the general quality of publications are considered. Measures are proposed that can prevent a further decline in the quality of published experimental results.     

Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor Cluster: communication linkages among stakeholders in a national system of innovation

As the wave of globalization washes over geographical boundaries, the world steps into the era of a new knowledge-based economy with governments striving to encourage innovation in industry especially through national systems of innovation. A national system of innovation (NSI) is considered important because how a nation utilizes and exploits its NSI will determine whether it can compete and ride the wave of globalization or be carried by it and thrashed onto the shores of the new economy. This paper seeks to highlight the linkages developed for enabling communication among the various NSI stakeholders for achieving goals in one such effort, viz. the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Cluster of Malaysia. The MSC offers a vision to create a global multimedia climate through an integrated environment of interlinked elements and attributes. The government of Malaysia, realising the significance of the NSI as a way to better utilize, exploit, and enhance systems, is making efforts to this effect. The efforts include bringing together various stakeholder organizations under the "Multimedia Flagship Applications" to develop flagship applications. This is for the development of information technology applications to pave the way toward a knowledge-based economy. The MSC Cluster is presented here as a physical manifestation of the NSI, and it gives an idea as to how policy makers can design linkages for communication among the various stakeholders to further national innovative performance and competitiveness in general.     

Sharpening our axes [systems engineering application]

To improve a company's 'chopping' power it is necessary to apply systems engineering principles to 'project systems' and take the time to plan effectively, to reflect upon what it is that is being done and thereby improve the way things are done. This article takes a systems view of the project and applies systems engineering principles to project management. Projects (complex systems) are needed to create deliverables (which are also complex systems) and investing in the former will be more than paid back in the latter. It is our aim here to clear up some misunderstandings about systems engineering and its role within a complex project and to highlight the need for businesses to take time to improve their processes in the context of good systems engineering practice.