Reliability-based optimum design of cable-stayed bridges

This paper presents a procedure for finding the reliability-based optimum design of cable-stayed bridges. The minimisation problem is stated as the minimisation of stresses, displacements, reliability and bridge cost. A finite-element approach is used for structural analysis. It includes a direct analytic sensitivity analysis module, which provides the structural behaviour responses to changes in the design variables. An equivalent multicriteria approach is used to solve the non-differentiable, non-linear optimisation problem, turning the original problem into the sequential minimisation of unconstrained convex scalar functions, from which a Pareto optimum is obtained. Examples are given illustrating the procedure.     

Dual work function metal gates using full nickel silicidation of doped poly-Si

This paper investigates the work function adjustment on fully silicided (FUSI) NiSi metal gates for dual-gate CMOS, and how it is effected by the poly-Si dopants. By comparing FUSI on As-, B-, and undoped poly-Si using the same p-Si substrates, it is shown that both As and B influence the work function of NiSi FUSI gate significantly, with As showing more effects than B possibly due to more As pile-up at the NiSi-SiO/sub 2/ interface. No degradations on the underlying gate dielectrics are observed in terms of interface state density (D/sub it/), fixed oxide charges, leakage current, and breakdown voltage, suggesting that NiSi FUSI is compatible with dual-gate CMOS processing.     

Filter‐Free Wavelength Conversion Using Mach‐Zehnder Interferometer with Integrated Multimode Interference Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers

We propose a filter‐free wavelength conversion using a Mach‐Zehnder interferometer with monolithically integrated 2×2 multimode interference semiconductor optical amplifiers (MMI‐SOAs). The device has been optimized by considering a non‐homogeneous carrier distribution due to the self‐imaging properties of the MMI‐SOA. Static measurements show an extinction ratio of up to 18 dB and an input signal rejection ratio of up to 20 dB.     

A linear programming model for reducing system peak throughcustomer load control programs

A linear programming (LP) model has been developed to optimize the amount of power system peak load reduction through scheduling of control periods in commercial/industrial and residential load control programs at Florida Power and Light Company, USA. The LP model can be used to determine both long and short term control scheduling strategies and for planning the number of customers which should be enrolled in each program. Results of applying the model to a forecasted late 1990s summer peak day load shape are presented. It is concluded that LP solutions provide a relatively inexpensive and powerful approach to planning and scheduling load control. Also, it is not necessary to model completely general scheduling of control periods in order to obtain near best solutions to peak load reduction     

Eurycoma longifolia increases sexual motivation in sexually naive male rats

The aim of this study is to provide evidence on the aphrodisiac property of Eurycoma longifolia Jack. An electric grid was used as an obstruction in the electrical copulation cage in order to determine how much an aversive stimulus the sexually naive male rat for both the treated with E. longifolia Jack and control groups were willing to overcome to reach the estrous receptive female in the goal cage. The intensity of the grid current was maintained at 0.12 mA and this was the intensity in which the male rats in the control group failed to crossover to reach the goal cage. Results showed that E. longifolia Jack continued to enhance and also maintain a high level of both the total number of successful crossovers, mountings, intromissions and ejaculations during the 9-12th week observation period. In conclusion, these results further enhanced and strengthened the aphrodisiac property of E. longifolia Jack.     

Compact PIFA for 2.4/5 GHz dual ISM-band applications

A compact and novel modified planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) for dual ISM-band application is proposed. The proposed antenna, including a small ground plane, occupies a volume of 20/spl times/23.7/spl times/0.8 mm/sup 3/ (FR-4). The impedance bandwidth with 10 dB return loss is about 150 MHz (2380-2530 MHz) for 2.4 GHz band and 1450 MHz (5130-6580 MHz) for 5 GHz band. The measured radiation patterns are approximately omnidirectional and yield a gain of 1.0 dBi at 2440 MHz and 3.98 dBi at 5600 MHz, respectively.     

High-performance, high-reliability buried heterostructure lasers byMOVPE

The authors report the first highly reliable all-MOVPE BH lasers. These devices have extremely low threshold currents (≃10 mA) and show excellent uniformity of device characteristics. Data are presented to show the high yields achieved and demonstrate the very low degradation rates achieved under accelerated aging     

The design and specification of post-processors for numerical control programming

The role of the post-processor in computer programming systems for numerically controlled machines is described. Although many of the points discussed apply to the special purpose programs available, attention is concentrated on the position of the post-processor within the general purpose systems such as APT and NELAPT.

The design of modular programs which allow rapid adaptation for different machine tools is considered in detail and the features of an adequate user specification are described.     

The use of long- and short-acting forms of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues in women undergoing oocyte donation

Evidence accumulated in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles suggests that the use of long-acting forms of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues (GnRHa) for pituitary desensitization may impair the outcome of IVF as compared to classical short-acting formulations. Whether the negative effects are directed against the corpus luteum, the endometrium, or both is unknown. However, the presence of high affinity binding sites for gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the human endometrium suggests a possible role of these analogues on this target organ, affecting embryo implantation. In the present study, we tested direct effects of two different forms of GnRHa on implantation using the ovum donation model. Patients were prospectively allocated to one of the three study groups: the short-acting form of the analogue leuprolide acetate (group I; n=64), the long-acting form of the same analogue (group II; n=58), and the long-acting preparation of the analogue tryptorelin (group III; n=61). A total of 68 cycles of embryo transfer was carried out in group I, whereas 67 were performed in group II and 65 in group III. Cancellation rates were respectively 18.1, 17.3 and 18.8% because of bleeding while being on the waiting list for anonymous oocyte donation. The number of oocytes donated, fertilization rates and embryos replaced in each group were similar. As a result, pregnancy rate per transfer was 38.2, 49.3 and 44.6% respectively. Implantation rates per embryo replaced were respectively 13.4, 19.1 and 17.0%. These data suggest that the use of a long-acting form of GnRHa provides success rates similar to the short-acting preparations, resulting in more convenient medication for patients with ovarian function included in ovum donation programmes.