Hierarchical spatial relation based on a contiguity graph

Autonomous agents traversing a natural space need to be knowledgeable of its space configuration. The existing space models in geographic information systems and robotics, however, deal with only the topological relations among numerous types of spatial relations. We aim to develop an enhanced space model that elaborates the spatial relations with respect to their relevant physical relations. Specifically, the spatial relations in a space configuration are further characterized with the gravitation as a potential factor to affect the space configuration. The resulting space model is capable of capturing an extended set of spatial relations over existing models such as a four‐intersection model. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Int Syst 20: 867–892, 2005.     

Control of serial sampling systems

In industrial multivariable plants, it is often the case that the plant outputs are detected not simultaneously but serially. The problem of estimating the state vector of the plant based on the data obtained from such a detection scheme is considered, and a special type of observer (referred to as a serial-sampling type) which renews its internal state whenever new data are obtained is proposed. The constructability of a serial-sampling observer and the stability of the closed-loop system which includes such an observer are theoretically studied     

3-D shape from a shaded and textural surface image

A new 3D texture model is developed by considering the scene image as the superposition of a random texture image on a smooth shaded image. The whole image is analyzed using a patch-by-patch process. Each patch is assumed to be a tilted and slanted texture plane. A modified reflectance map function is applied to describe the deterministic part, and the fractional differencing periodic model is chosen to describe the random texture because of its good performance in texture synthesis and its ability to represent the coarseness and the pattern of the surface at the same time. An orthographical projection technique is developed to deal with this particular random model, which has a nonisotropically distributed texture pattern. For estimating the parameter, a hybrid method that uses both the least square and the maximum-likelihood estimates is applied directly to the given intensity function. By using these parameters, the synthesized image is obtained and used to reconstruct the original image     

A partially insulated field-effect transistor (PiFET) as a candidate for scaled transistors

Highly manufacturable partially insulated field-effect transistors (PiFETs) were fabricated by using Si-SiGe epitaxial growth and selective SiGe etch process. Owing to these technologies, pseudo-silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structures, partially insulating oxide (PiOX) under source/drain (PUSD) and PiOX under channel (PUC), could be easily realized with excellent structural and process advantages. We are demonstrating their preliminary characteristics and properties. Especially, in the PUSD PiFET, junction capacitance, leakage current, and DIBL in bulk devices could be reduced and the floating body problem in SOI devices was also cleared without any area penalty. Thus, this PiFET structure can be a promising candidate for the future DRAM cell transistor.     

Cloning and characterization of cDNA for human adenylate kinase 2A

Considerable genomic microdiversity has been reported previously among Helicobacter pylori isolates. We have constructed genome maps of four unrelated H. pylori strains (NCTC11637, NCTC11639, UA802 and UA861) using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) with NotI and NruI, hybridization with extracted PFGE DNA fragments and probing with 17 gene probes. These strains of H. pylori were compared with a fifth unrelated H. pylori strain NCTC11638 mapped previously. Considerable diversity in gene arrangement was evident among the five H. pylori maps, and no consistent gene clustering was found. The association of only four genes, katA (catalase gene), vacA (vacuolating cytotoxin gene), hpaA (a putative adhesin gene), and pfr (bacterial ferritin gene) were generally conserved within approximately the same 25% of the genome; however, the order of these genes also varied. Our study demonstrates that macrodiversity, i.e. variability in gene order, in addition to microdiversity, is a characteristic of the H. pylori genome.     

Characteristics of body-tied triple-gate pMOSFETs

Body-tied triple-gate pMOSFETs were fabricated using bulk Si wafers and characterized. Process steps to implement the devices are explained briefly. Device characteristics of the triple-gate pMOSFETs were compared with those of the conventional planar channel device. While maintaining low off-leakage currents and threshold voltages similar to those of planar pMOSFETs in the parallel arrayed 30 000 transistors, the body-tied triple-gate MOSFETs showed about 74 mV/dec of subthreshold swing (92 mV/dec for conventional devices) and a drain-induced barrier lowering of 34 mV/V (92 mV/V for conventional devices). It was also addressed that I/sub SUB//I/sub D/ of the body-tied triple-gate is lower than that of the planar channel device.     

Phase transformation of metastable beta Ti alloys with tweed structure

This paper presents the finding of a microstructural abnormality generated in the metastable phase of a supersaturated state, and compares the results with ordering behavior such as premartensitic transformation. A tweed structure consisting of the metastable phase was observed by transmission electron microscopy, and spot satellites inflicted by streaks were also observed in lattice diffraction. The present report also reviews a new phase transformation from the metastable phase caused by the processes of aging, sub-zero quenching, and induced strain or stress.     

Low-noise cryogenic amplifier based on the Josephson effect

It is shown that an amplifier based on f.m. modulation of the frequency generated by a Josephson junction can have a very low-noise figure, and that it can handle voltages as small as 10?12 V.