A synthesis methodology for AMS/RF circuit reliability: Application to a DCO design

Circuit ageing degradation is becoming worse in advanced technologies, while application fields like military, medical and energy demand more reliability. Thus, reliability is one of the most important challenges of the semiconductor industry [1]. In this work, we review the physical ageing phenomena, their simulation model, and how they can be avoided. Then, we propose a synthesis methodology composed of classical circuit optimization with the reliability analysis in earlier stages. Also, the variability of the integration process technology is taken into account. We compare a classical and a reliable designed digital controlled oscillator (DCO) in order to show a reduction of 16% in the oscillation frequency ageing degradation. In this way, the reliable design makes the circuit lifetime five times longer, if we fix the maximum frequency ageing degradation at 2.0%. Finally, we present the reliability as a design criterion, advantages and disadvantages of our methodology.     

OSPF routing with optimal oblivious performance ratio under polyhedral demand uncertainty

We study the best OSPF style routing problem in telecommunication networks, where weight management is employed to get a routing configuration with the minimum oblivious ratio. We consider polyhedral demand uncertainty: the set of traffic matrices is a polyhedron defined by a set of linear constraints, and a routing is sought with a fair performance for any feasible traffic matrix in the polyhedron. The problem accurately reflects real world networks, where demands can only be estimated, and models one of the main traffic forwarding technologies, Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) routing with equal load sharing. This is an NP-hard problem as it generalizes the problem with a fixed demand matrix, which is also NP-hard.     

Measuring and Predicting Object Importance

How important is a particular object in a photograph of a complex scene? We propose a definition of importance and present two methods for measuring object importance from human observers. Using this ground truth, we fit a function for predicting the importance of each object directly from a segmented image; our function combines a large number of object-related and image-related features. We validate our importance predictions on 2,841 objects and find that the most important objects may be identified automatically. We find that object position and size are particularly informative, while a popular measure of saliency is not.     

Middle distillates from hydrocracking of FT waxes: Composition,characteristics and emission properties

A light cobalt catalyzed Fischer–Tropsch (FT) wax was subjected to hydrocracking in the range of temperature 319–351 °C and hydrogen pressure between 3.5 and 6.0 MPa. The catalyst used was platinum on amorphous silica–alumina. Hydrocracking reaction led to an increase of middle distillate yield up to 85% with a contemporary increase of iso-paraffins concentration which resulted in a remarkable improvement of cold flow properties of the products. The freezing point of C₁₀–C₁₄ fraction passed from ?23 to ?45 °C while the pour point of C₁₅–C₂₂ fraction decreased from 13 to ?23 °C. The latter fraction displayed high cetane numbers ranging between 75 and 80. Changes in carbon distribution and molecular structure of products during hydrocracking have been rationalized in the light of the accepted hydrocracking mechanism where n-paraffins undergo to consecutive isomerization reactions leading to isomers with progressively higher branching degree and concomitant cracking reaction. Experimental evidences support the view that apparent reactivity of n-paraffins is chain length dependent, increasing with the molecular weight. Detailed characterization by NMR and GC showed that branching groups abundance in the middle distillate products was the following: methyl ? ethyl > propyl.Emission tests carried out with FT diesel and commercial ultra low sulfur diesel showed that FT diesel has excellent combustion properties and leads to a reduction of emissions.     

Correction to Lombardo and Foschi (2003).

Reports an error in the original article by G. P. Lombardo and R. Foschi (History of Psychology, 2003, 2, 123-142). In the reference list, several works by Pierre Janet were identified as being Paul Janet. The correct references are provided, where Paul Janet is identified by the initial P. and Pierre Janet is identified by the initials P. M. F.. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 2003-03729-003.) Since the 1920s, the road to the acknowledgment of personality psychology as a field of scientific psychology that has individuality as its object began with the founding of the discipline by Gordon W. Allport. Historians of psychology have made serious attempts to reconstruct the cultural, political, institutional, and chronological beginnings of this field in America in the 20th century. In this literature, however, an important European tradition of psychological studies of personality that developed in France in the 2nd half of the 19th century has been overlooked. The aim of this article is to cast some light on this unexplored tradition of psychological personality studies and to discuss its influence on the development of the scientific study of personality in the United States. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Radioactive Marker Measurements in Heterogeneous Reservoirs: Numerical Study

A numerical study is performed to simulate the vertical deformation of a depth interval representing a marker spacing (10.5 m) located in a deep heterogeneous sedimentary reservoir. Realistic lithostratigraphic sequences typical of the Northern Adriatic basin are used. A number of scenarios are addressed consistent with the available data. In particular two basic geologic scenarios at the marker scale are simulated, one where sands prevail within the marker spacing (SD), and another where thin sandy and clayey layers alternate (CL). The sensitivity of the marker response is investigated in relation to clay and sand permeability and compressibility contrast, Biot’s coefficient, and respective position of monitoring and fluid pumping wells. The modeling results show that rock may indeed expand above and below depleted layers. Depending on the marker position the expansion may partially offset the compaction, especially in the CL scenario with a very low permeable clay. To obtain a representative field compaction the markers should span a depth interval made mostly by sand and entirely depleted, and should be installed in a test hole far from producing wells. Compressibility contrast and the Biot coefficient play a secondary role. Very critical measurements are provided by two markers which incorporate a thin (≈1 m) depleted level overlain and underlain by almost impermeable clay layers.     

Influence of water recharge on heat transfer in a semi-infinite aquifer

A simple model is proposed for the temperature field within an unconfined semi-infinite thick aquifer, with groundwater flowing parallel to the terrestrial heat flow in the recharge zone, and perpendicular to heat flow in the other parts of the aquifer. The results enable evaluation of the extent of the influence of the recharge zone, once the thermal and hydrological parameters are known. Beyond this zone, where thermal equilibrium between water and rock is reached, water temperature reaches the constant highest value, and water movement cannot be revealed by temperature measurements. Moreover, over,on the basis of the range of influence of the recharge zone, the regional water pore velocity can be inferred.     

Outline of nuclear piping research conducted in Italy

Following an early phase of limited activity at the University of Pisa on small stainless steel pipes containing axial cracks, in 1981 ENEA, the Italian Committee for Research and Development of Nuclear Energy and Alternative Energies, has started a massive research campaign on fracture of carbon and stainless steel piping containing through and part-through cracks loaded either under pressure or in bending. The purpose of the program was to develop a better understanding on pipes fracture behaviour in order to set new design criteria more realistic, yet conservative, than the guillotine break and prepare acceptance criteria for in-service flaws particularly under the growing pressure of IGSCC that has merciless affected worldwide practically any BWR piping system.The analysis of more than 100 tests carried out at CISE research centre, in Milano, on 4 inch, 6 inch, 8 inch and 10 inch pipes has indicated that unstable fracture requires at least 150° through wall crack under ASME maximum design stresses. The leak area, before instability takes place, is always less than 10% of the net cross section area of the pipe. This has led ENEA to consider a 10% break area as a reasonable value to calculate jet forces. Further, it was found that the net section collapse load criterion by far underestimates the actual collapse load and that 360° part-through cracks tend to switch from ductile to brittle failure mode of a pipe loaded in bending.Further work is planned for the next 3 years including high temperature tests, stainless steel weldments and HAZ tests, high compliance tests and eventually burst tests. Besides the ENEA's research program, Ansaldo AMN, the Italian Nuclear Architect Engineer, is developing theoretical studies and codes to treat the problem of pipe fracture.     

Use of a toasted durum whole meal in the production of a traditional Italian pasta: chemical, mechanical, sensory and image analyses

The characterisation of traditional Italian pasta obtained by mixing amounts of toasted whole meal with re-milled semolina and other ingredients was obtained by means of physico-chemical, rheological, mechanical, sensory and image analyses. The toasted meal showed higher ash, fibre and protein contents than re-milled semolina. The replacement of percentages of re-milled semolina with the toasted meal and soft flour increased tenacity and decreased extensibility and strength, making the dough less suitable for pasta-making. The P / L values were indices of high starch damage. The replacement of part of re-milled semolina and water with toasted whole wheat meal, soft flour and eggs increased the optimal cooking time and the amount of water absorbed during cooking but made the other cooking parameters worse. The image analysis provided evidence of the changes induced by the use of toasted wholemeal, soft flour and eggs in the microscopic structure of pasta protein and starch.