Lower confidence limits for process capability indices Cp and Cpk when data are autocorrelated

Many organizations use a single estimate of C_p and/or C_pk for process benchmarking, without considering the sampling variability of the estimators and how that impacts the probability of meeting minimum index requirements. Lower confidence limits have previously been determined for the C_p and C_pk indices under the standard assumption of independent data, which are based on the sampling distributions of the index estimators. In this paper, lower 100(1‐α)% confidence limits for C_p and C_pk were developed for autocorrelated processes. Simulation was used to generate the empirical sampling distribution of each estimator for various combinations of sample size (n), autoregressive parameter (?), true index value (C_p or C_pk), and confidence level. In addition, the minimum values of the estimators required in order to meet quality requirements with 100(1‐α)% certainty were also determined from these empirical sampling distributions. These tables may be used by practitioners to set minimum capability requirements for index estimators, rather than true values, for the autocorrelated case. The implications of these results for practitioners will be discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Defect localization induced by hot carrier injection in short-channel MOSFETs: Concept, modeling and characterization

Key aspects related to the localization of the hot-carrier induced damage in short channel MOSFET's are reviewed. Emphasis is put on the analysis, modeling and characterization of the degradation of device parameters caused by defects created locally beside the drain junction. Numerical simulations as well as analytical models predicting the post-stress performance are presented, compared and their limits of validity highlighted. Relevant experimental results, concerning the evolution of the static characteristics I_D(V_G, V_D) during transistor aging, are thoroughly discussed and efficient methods for the extraction of the defective region parameters are proposed. More specific techniques (charge pumping, noise spectroscopy, floating gate current, gated diode leakage), used for the characterization of aging induced defects, are evaluated from the point of view of their capability to cope with the localized nature of the defects. The merits of silicon on insulator structures and other technological solutions proposed for the attenuation of hot carrier effects are briefly commented.     

Electrochemical degradation of pulp and paper industry waste‐water

BACKGROUND: Conventional biological waste‐water treatment techniques are insufficient to degrade large quantities of dissolved lignin discharged by small‐scale paper mills. The current investigation is aimed at comparing the overall performance of basic electrochemical reactor configurations such as batch, batch recirculation, recycle and single pass systems, in removing the organic part of waste‐water from a small‐scale, agro‐based paper industry. The effect of current density, supporting electrolyte concentration, duration of electrolysis, specific electrode surface and fluid flow rate on the removal of pollutants and energy consumption are critically evaluated. The improvement in biodegradability of the effluent during treatment is also noticed. RESULTS: The batch recirculation mode of operation was found to be superior in comparison with a batch system using the same specific electrode surface for both COD removal (73.3 vs. 64%) and capacity utilization (rate constant 1.112 × 10^?3 vs. 1.049 × 10^?3 cm s^?1). The pollutant removal performance of the batch recirculation system improved considerably with increase in the circulation flow rate. At the best operating point in the recycle system, 59% of COD was removed, corresponding to a current efficiency of 68.9% and specific energy consumption of 18.46 kWh kg^?1. The biodegradability index of the waste‐water was improved from 0.18 ± 0.01 to 0.36 ± 0.01. CONCLUSION: A recycle reactor was the best configuration, because of its flexibility of operation. Circulation flow rate and withdrawal flow rate enable the control of transfer coefficients and treatment duration respectively. Electrochemical treatment not only removes the bulk of the organic matter, but also makes the remaining pollutants more easily biodegradable. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Eulerian–Lagrangian Method for Constituent Transport in Water Distribution Networks

The transport and mixing of contaminants in conduits is governed by advection, dispersion, and decay. Several models are available to trace the transport of such constituents and most assume that the principal mechanisms for transport are advection and reaction only. However in pipes where low velocities prevail, longitudinal dispersion is significant and models that neglect the dispersion effects fail to properly simulate the observed concentrations in low velocity pipes. This work presents a method for simulating the advection-dispersion-reaction process of constituent transport in water networks. A Eulerian–Lagrangian method is employed whereby the dispersion term in the governing equation is approximated using finite differences and the resulting first-order partial differential equation is then integrated using the method of characteristics. Analytical solutions of the transport equation are also derived to quantify the effect of neglecting dispersion at pipe junctions and to assess the accuracy of the proposed method. The Eulerian-Lagrangian method is tested on benchmark networks and on the field study at the Cherry Hill/Brushy Plains network. Results show that the model developed is capable of simulating transport with equal accuracy for low and high velocity flows with and without significant dispersion effects. It also performs better than other models because of the nonuniform grid distribution and the interpolation schemes used.     

The effect of endoscopic sinus surgery on mucociliary clearance in patients with chronic sinusitis

In a prospective study 20 patients suffering from recurrent, therapy-refractory menorrhagias were pre-treated for endometrial ablation after exclusion of intrauterine abnormalities and histological pathology. Two injections of GnRH-analogues (3.75 mg leuprorelinacetate depot, Enantone Gyn, Takeda Pharma GmbH Aachen, Germany). Two weeks after the last injection a hysteroscopic surgery by roller-ball-techniques was performed in 10 patients and a balloon-thermocoagulation by Cavaterm-technique (Wallsten Medical, Morges, Schweiz) was performed in 10 patients. Both patients groups were comparable according to age and anamnesis. In a follow-up of 9 to 15 months we found about identical results. All 20 patients were satisfied with the treatment. The Cavaterm-coagulation is in comparison to the operative hysteroscopy a simple method for endometrial coagulation, and can also be used by an hysteroscopically inexperienced gynaecologists with simple technical equipment. In strict indication the Cavaterm-coagulation is a simple method of endometrial ablation in many patients.     

Méthode expérimentale de détermination de l'énergie de rupture des bétons ordinaires

The aim of this paper is to determine the failure energy of ordinary concretes. This energy is considered as an intrinsic characteristic of the cracked material. RILEM recommendations related to three-point bending tests on notched beams have been studied and applied. This experimental model needs appropriate equipment working in controlled displacement mode. The controlled force test is generally unsteady. The result is that tensile curves (σ-w) are hardly achieved until the end of the test. In numerical modelling of the failure, it is precisely the descending branch of the curve (σ-w) which characterises the crack material because the stress reduces, whereas the crack opening increases (strain-softening). The tests carried out are failure tensile tests in mode I. The results obtained are ultimate loads of failure related to three-point bending notched specimens. A prediction method of failure energy based on intensity factor design of critical stress has been used. The latter is the result of experimental models interpolation in the field of failure mechanics. The results obtained are satisfactory and will allow the researchers who wish to simulate the crack by finite element modelling to use these results. For this purpose, experimental curves (σ-w) could be approximated by using linear, two-linear or exponential straight line providing that this failure energy remains steady.     

Glyceride metabolism in the myopathic hamster

Analysis of plasma lipids of 30- and 185-day-old BIO 82.62 myopathic hamsters and age-matched normal controls revealed a decrease in only the concentration of cholesteryl esters of 185-day-old diseased animals. Measurement of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in heart, muscle, and adipose tissue showed no difference between the activity of the enzyme in the heart and muscle of the cardiomyopathic hamsters and that of the age-matched controls. In adipose tissue, however, LPL activity was depressed in the diseased animals in both age groups. No difference was found in the activity of hormone sensitive lipase. Incorporation of sn[U-¹⁴C] glycerol-3-phosphate into total lipids was found to be depressed in homogenates of heart, muscle, and adipose tissue but unchanged in liver homogenates of diseased animals. It was concluded that the decrease in the capacity to synthesize glycerides, rather than limiting substrate concentrations, could be the cause of the decrease in the lipid content in some tissues of the cardiomyopathic hamster.     

Examining coping methods with stressful interpersonal events experienced by Muslims living in the United States following the 9/11 attacks.

Pargament's (1997) religious coping theory was used to examine the methods of coping with stressful interpersonal events experienced by 138 Muslims living in the United States following the 9/11 attacks. The large majority of participants reported experiencing at least one stressful interpersonal event after the 9/11 attacks related to being Muslim; the most common incidents were hearing anti-Muslim comments, undergoing special security checks in airports, facing discriminatory acts, and being verbally harassed. Participants used both religious (i.e., positive religious coping, negative religious coping) and nonreligious (i.e., reaching out, isolation) methods to deal with these stressful interpersonal events. Positive religious coping and reaching out were related to posttraumatic growth; negative religious coping was associated with depression; and isolation was tied to both depression and angry feelings. The large majority of participants did not view the negative interpersonal events they experienced after the 9/11 attacks as a sacred loss, but a significant percentage did consider these events as a desecration. Further, viewing these incidents as a desecration was tied to posttraumatic growth, but this link was partially mediated by positive coping methods. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Novel Nano Structure for Green Energy Harvesting at 10 μm Thermal Radiation

In recent years, the potential of renewable green energy sources has been extensively studied. The proven technology which is photovoltaic solar cells strictly depends on daylight and produces low-efficiently. To overcome the restrictions, one technology studied is through harvesting the thermal radiation energy which can provide a 24-hour energy source. The continuity of energy sources promises very good energy conversion especially for military applications. This article presents a new structure that can harvest the abundant thermal radiation energy into usable energy at the wavelength of 10 m. A rectangular structure with a perturbation slit was designed to integrate with a rectifier circuit for green energy conversion. The slit tunnel junction guided the electromagnetic field into a junction where the energy could be collected and converted. An enhancement factor of approximately 110.6 can be achieved by a perturbation slit length of 1.0 m. The results extracted from the proposed design promise a better candidate to overcome the disadvantages of photovoltaic solar cells for energy harvesting devices.     

HClO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>: An Efficient Reusable Catalyst for the Synthesis of 3,4,5-Trisubstituted 1,2,4-Triazoles Under Solvent-Free Conditions

Abstract  

A series of 3,4,5-trisubstituted 1,2,4-triazoles have been synthesized from N ³-substituted amidrazones and anhydrides using HClO₄-SiO₂ at 80 °C under solvent-free conditions. The products were obtained in excellent yields within 5–10 min. Therefore, the present method will be of wide application in organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry.