A 375-mW Quadrature Bandpass ∆Σ ADC With 8.5-MHz BW and 90-dB DR at 44 MHz

A quadrature bandpass DeltaSigma ADC for a multistandard TV tuner achieves a total dynamic range of 90 dB over an 8.5-MHz passband centered on 44 MHz while consuming 375 mW. The fourth-order continuous-time ADC uses active-RC resonators configured in a modified feedforward architecture     

Set theoretic compression with an application to image coding

We show that the complete information that is available after an image has been encoded is not just an approximate quantized image version, but a whole set of consistent images that contains the original image by necessity. From this starting point, we develop a set of tools to design a new class of encoders for image compression, based on a set decomposition and recombination of the image features. As an initial validation, we show the results of an experiment where these tools are used to modify the encoding process of block discrete cosine transform (DCT) coding in order to yield less blocking artifacts.     

Identification of a novel metastasis-suppressor region on human chromosome 12

There is a critical need for markers that can be used to predict accurately the malignant potential of histological prostate cancers (J. T. Isaacs. Am. J. Pathol., 150: 1511-1521, 1997). Metastasis-suppressor genes are attractive candidates for marker development because, by definition, their loss should be associated with the acquisition of metastatic ability. In an effort to identify such genes, a single copy of human chromosome 12, tagged with the neomycin resistance gene, was introduced into highly metastatic Dunning AT6.1 prostate cancer cells by microcell-mediated chromosomal transfer. Thirty-two AT6.1-12 clonal cell lines were established and the region(s) of chromosome 12 retained was determined by sequence tagged site-based PCR analysis. Representative AT6.1-12 clones containing overlapping regions of chromosome 12 were characterized cytogenetically and were shown to have a normal complement of parental AT6.1 rat chromosomes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization, performed on representative AT6.1-12 hybrids, demonstrated a single human chromosome 12-specific signal. The metastatic ability of six representative clones was tested in immunodeficient mice. All of the AT6.1-12 clones showed the same in vivo growth rates as the control AT6.1-neo cells. Clonal cell lines that contained a conserved approximately 70-cM portion of chromosome 12 (e.g., AT6.1-12-8, -8-1, and -8-3), showed a >30-fold suppression in the number of macroscopic surface lung metastases. Mice that received injections of these cells developed a mean number 4 lung metastases whereas mice that received injections of other AT6.1-12 hybrids (lacking the approximately 70-cM region) or AT6.1-neo control cells, developed a mean number of 140 metastases. Interestingly, histological examination of the lungs of the mice that received injections of AT6.1-12-8 cells showed essentially no microscopic metastases. These findings suggest that a gene(s) encoded by the approximately 70-cM portion of human chromosome 12 suppresses an early step in the metastatic cascade.     

OPTIMAL BLENDING OF MALTS

A method is discussed for the prediction of the analytical results of blends of malt. The method takes account of the possibility of non-linear interactions between malts when they are mashed by analysing a defined and limited number of blends of the malts as well as the pure malts themselves. A simple mathematical analysis of the experimental points allows the analytical result for any blend to be predicted. Seven analyses are necessary to a blend of three malts: fifteen would be required for a blend of four malts.     

Controlled size and morphology of EDTMP-doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles as model for <Superscript>153</Superscript>Samarium-EDTMP doping

Hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles have been studied as nano-sized carriers for the delivery of therapeutic agents. One important consideration for these carriers to be used effectively is their bio-distribution in vivo, of which particle size has a significant effect. In this work, HA nanoparticles doped with Ethylene-diamine-tetramethylene-phosphonate (EDTMP) were synthesized via co-precipitation as a model for HA doped with (153)Samarium ((153)Sm) EDTMP. EDTMP has high affinity for radioactive (153)Sm isotopes that can emit both gamma and beta radiation. The effects of synthesis temperature, amount of dopant and hydrothermal treatment on the size of HA-EDTMP nanoparticles were therefore studied. The results showed that the EDTMP ligand was successfully incorporated in the nanoparticles without changing the crystal structure as shown from X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis. From the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) micrographs, it was observed that shorter rod-like nanoparticles, obtained at low synthesis temperatures, became elongated needle-like nanoparticles with increasing temperature. Increasing dopant amount by five fold increases particle size slightly, while a two fold increase in dopant amount has no significant effect. Hydrothermal treatment increases particle crystallinity and results in smooth elongated rod-like structures. The size of HA nanoparticles doped with EDTMP can therefore be manipulated by controlling synthesis temperature and through hydrothermal treatment.     

Development of an inventory and temporal allocation profiles of emissions from power plants and industrial facilities in Thailand

An emission inventory (EI) of power plants and industrial (i.e., non-power plant) facilities in Thailand was developed. Emissions considered are those from fuel consumption (i.e., combustion) for power plants and those from both fuel consumption and industrial processes (i.e., non-combustion) for industrial facilities. For power plants, total annual emissions due to fuel consumption are 107.9 x 10(3) ton NOx (as NO2), 146.2 x 10(3) ton SO2, 6.1 x 10(3) ton NMVOC (non-methane volatile organic compounds), 47.0 x 10(3) ton CO, 1.8 x 10(3) ton NH3, 1.5 x 10(3) ton OC (organic carbon), and 1.5 x 10(3) ton BC (black carbon). For industrial facilities, total annual emissions due to fuel consumption are 111.4 x 10(3) ton NOx (as NO2), 476.9 x 10(3) ton SO2, 33.4 x 10(3) ton NMVOC, 193.1 x 10(3) ton CO, 1.6 x 10(3) ton NH3, 8.5 x 10(3) ton OC, and 8.0 x 10(3) ton BC. Among various industrial types, Food and Beverage, Chemical, and Non-Metal industries are dominant emitters. Total annual emissions due to industrial processes are 79.2 x 10(3) ton SO2, 76.0 x 10(3) ton NMVOC, and 4.8 x 10(3) ton CO. The Central and Eastern regions combined contribute considerably to total emissions for most emission species. Emission estimates found here show fair agreement with those in some selected past studies. A crude estimation of potential fugitive NMVOC emissions specifically from petroleum industry was also made, and the estimates found could be considered significant (nearly half of NMVOC emissions from industrial processes). Several temporal allocation profiles of emissions were also developed and suggested for power plants and industrial facilities, including monthly, daily, and hourly profiles.     

钢梁在高温下的非线性性能

提出一个虚功公式,对结构箱形构件中的钢梁在平移和转动约束下的温度反应进行计算,来确定其是否在结构的预屈服范围之内。同时推导出温度导致的构件横向及纵向变形的计算公式。值得注意的是,在虚功公式计算的热效应下,结构的静力边界条件可能与预想情况截然不同。与大部分没有考虑整体结构机制的有限元软件不同的是,所提出的方法可以为屈服之前具有任意温度加载的结构提供解决方案。该法还可以计算结构的后屈服反应。文中采用一个简单的算例诠释了此种方法。     

Optimized Cu-Sn Wafer-Level Bonding Using Intermetallic Phase Characterization

The objective of this study is to optimize the Cu/Sn solid–liquid interdiffusion process for wafer-level bonding applications. To optimize the temperature profile of the bonding process, the formation of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) which takes place during the bonding process needs to be well understood and characterized. In this study, a simulation model for the development of IMCs and the unreacted remaining Sn thickness as a function of the bonding temperature profile was developed. With this accurate simulation model, we are able to predict the parameters which are critical for bonding process optimization. The initial characterization focuses on a kinetics model of the Cu₃Sn thickness growth and the amount of Sn thickness that reacts with Cu to form IMCs. As-plated Cu/Sn samples were annealed using different temperatures (150°C to 300°C) and durations (0 min to 320 min). The kinetics model is then extracted from the measured thickness of IMCs of the annealed samples.