33.7 MHz heavy-ion radio frequency quadrupole linac at VECC Kolkata

A 33.7 MHz heavy-ion radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) linear accelerator has been designed, built, and tested. It is a four-rod-type RFQ designed for acceleration of 1.38 keVu, qA> or =116 ions to about 29 keVu. Transmission efficiencies of about 85% and 80% have been measured for the unanalyzed and analyzed beams, respectively, of oxygen ((16)O(2+), (16)O(3+), (16)O(4+)), nitrogen ((14)N(3+), (14)N(4+)), and argon ((40)Ar(4+)). The system design and measurements along with results of beam acceleration test will be presented.     

An efficient deconvolution algorithm for estimating oxygen consumption during muscle activities

The reconstruction of an unknown input function from noisy measurements in a biological system is an ill-posed inverse problem. Any computational algorithm for its solution must use some kind of regularization technique to neutralize the disastrous effects of amplified noise components on the computed solution. In this paper, following a hierarchical Bayesian statistical inversion approach, we seek estimates for the input function and regularization parameter (hyperparameter) that maximize the posterior probability density function. We solve the maximization problem simultaneously for all unknowns, hyperparameter included, by a suitably chosen quasi-Newton method. The optimization approach is compared to the sampling-based Bayesian approach. We demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of the deconvolution algorithm by applying it to reconstructing the time courses of mitochondrial oxygen consumption during muscle state transitions (e.g., from resting state to contraction and recovery), from the simulated noisy output of oxygen concentration dynamics on the muscle surface. The model of oxygen transport and metabolism in skeletal muscle assumes an in vitro cylindrical structure of the muscle in which the oxygen from the surrounding oxygenated solution diffuses into the muscle and is then consumed by the muscle mitochondria. The algorithm can be applied to other deconvolution problems by suitably replacing the forward model of the system.     

Technology roles and paths of influence in an ecosystem model of technology evolution

We propose a new conceptual model for understanding technology evolution that highlights dynamic and highly interdependent relationships among multiple technologies. We argue that, instead of considering technologies in isolation, technology evolution is best viewed as a dynamic system or ecosystem that includes a variety of interrelated technologies. By considering the interdependent nature of technology evolution, we identify three roles that technologies play within a technology ecosystem. These roles are components, products and applications, and support and infrastructure. Technologies within an ecosystem interact through these roles and impact each others’ evolution. We also classify types of interactions between technology roles, which we term paths of influence. We demonstrate the use of our proposed model through examples of wireless networking (Wi-Fi) technologies and a business mini-case on the digital music industry.

A theoretical and empirical investigation of multi‐item on‐line auctions

In this paper we explore and analyze the structure of Internet auctions from an analytical and an empirical perspective. Such web‐based auctions are rapidly emerging as a mercantile process of choice in the electronic marketplace. We observe current Internet auctions for one‐time products, such as rapidly aging hardware, and analyze them within the framework of the existing auction theory. While traditional auction theory focuses on single‐item auctions, we observe that a majority of on‐line auctions are multi‐item auctions. A significant contribution of this work is the theoretical derivation of the structure of the winning bids in multi‐item progressive on‐line auctions. Additionally, for comparative purposes, we explore the structural characteristics of alternative multi‐item auction mechanisms proposed in the auction theory. We derive hypotheses based on our analytical results and compare two different types of auction mechanisms. We test the traditional auction theory assumption regarding the homogeneity of bidders and present the first ever empirically derived classification and performance‐comparison of on‐line bidders. We test our hypotheses using real‐world empirical data obtained by tracking a premier web‐based auction site. Statistical analysis of the data indicates that firms may gain by choosing alternative auction mechanisms. We also provide directions for further exploration of this emerging but important dimension of electronic commerce. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Electron microscopic observations on the alterations of tegumental surface of Raillietina echinobothrida treated with root-peel extract of Potentilla fulgens

Potentilla fulgens, a member of the family Rosaceae, has been known since ancient times in Northeast India for its antiparasitic, antitumour and antidiabetic properties. The crude ethanolic extract of the plant was assayed against Raillietina echinobothrida, the intestinal cestode parasite of domestic fowl to authenticate the putative anthelmintic efficacy and cestocidal potential in particular of the plant. Treatment of the worm in-vitro with 25, 50 and 100 mg of crude extract per ml of phosphate buffered saline caused paralysis leading to death taking 4.02-4.20, 3.05-3.75 and 2.05-2.83 h respectively. Scanning electron microscopic observations on treated worms revealed deformation of surface architecture, particularly in scolex and surface microtriches. Severe distortion and disorganization of the tegumental and subtegumental layer along with cytoplasmic organelle was also observed under transmission electron microscope. The possible use of the plant as a potential anthelmintic against cestode parasite is discussed.     

An exact approach for maximizing the lifetime of sensor networks with adjustable sensing ranges

This paper addresses the problem of target coverage for wireless sensor networks, where the sensing range of sensors can vary, thereby saving energy when only close targets need to be monitored. Two versions of this problem are addressed. In the first version, sensing ranges are supposed to be continuously adjustable (up to the maximum sensing range). In the second version, sensing ranges have to be chosen among a set of predefined values common to all sensors. An exact approach based on a column generation algorithm is proposed for solving these problems. The use of a genetic algorithm within the column generation scheme significantly decreases computation time, which results in an efficient exact approach.     

Mechanochemically assisted room temperature solid state metathesis reaction for the synthesis of MMoO4 (M = Ca, Sr and Ba)

This communication reports a novel mechanochemically assisted room temperature solid state metathesis reaction for the synthesis of submicron-size alkaline-earth molybdates crystallizing in a tetragonal Scheelite structure. The solids were characterized by powder XRD, FTIR, TGA, DTA, SEM, EDAX and TEM to ascertain their composition, phase homogeneity and morphology.     

引领新一代高级封装的光刻技术

在当今飞速发展的电子环境中，芯片制造商和封装技术供应商们发现传统的前段制造设备，诸如光刻步进器等，可能会实现成本高效的后段工艺流程（BEOL）器件封装。尽管高级封装市场的发展空间最初是被PCs行业的蓬勃发展带动起来的，但是现在它们已经不再是主要的增长催化因素。通信以及手持设备，如手机、PDAs（个人数字助理）、便携式游戏机以及个人通讯系统正在成为新增长阶段的推动因素。随着数字消费应用的爆炸式发展一陛能和波形系统成为必须启用高级封装（AP）技术的必要条件。在未来五年内，预计通讯芯片组、图形处理器、集成无源元件以及高速PC内存元件将成为AP技术的主要诉求。随着领先的逻辑芯片制造商们需求量的不断增大，我们共同见证了AP市场的成长过程。然而，这一细分市场的另一个转折点可能会来自高速PC内存元件对高级封装技术的诉求。     

Optical and microstructural investigations of porous silicon

Raman scattering and photoluminescence (PL) measurements on (100) oriented n-type crystalline silicon (c-Si) and porous silicon (PS) samples were carried out. PS samples were prepared by anodic etching of c-Si under the illumination of light for different etching times of 30, 60 and 90 min. Raman scattering from the optical phonon in PS showed the redshift of the phonon frequency, broadening and increased asymmetry of the Raman mode on increasing the etching time. Using the phonon confinement model, the average diameter of Si nanocrystallites has been estimated as 2.9, 2.6 and 2.3 nm for 30, 60 and 90 min samples, respectively. Similar size of Si crystallites has been confirmed from the high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Using 2TO phonon mode intensity, we conjectured that the disordered Si region around the pores present in 30 min PS dissolved on etching for 90 min. The photoluminescence (PL) from PS increased in intensity and blue shifted with etching time from 2.1–2.3 eV. Blue shifting of PL is consistent with quantum confinement of electron in Si nanocrystallites and their sizes are estimated as 2.4, 2.3 and 2.1 nm for 30, 60 and 90 min PS, respectively which are smaller than the Raman estimated sizes due to temperature effect. Unambiguous dominance of quantum confinement effect is reported in these PS samples.     

Design and analysis of a video-on-demand server

The availability of high-speed networks, fast computers and improved storage technology is stimulating interest in the development of video on-demand services that provide facilities similar to a video cassette player (VCP). In this paper, we present a design of a video-on-demand (VOD) server, capable of supporting a large number of video requests with complete functionality of a remote control (as used in VCPs), for each request. In the proposed design, we have used an interleaved storage method with constrained allocation of video and audio blocks on the disk to provide continuous retrieval. Our storage scheme interleaves a movie with itself (while satisfying the constraints on video and audio block allocation. This approach minimizes the starting delay and the buffer requirement at the user end, while ensuring a jitter-free display for every request. In order to minimize the starting delay and to support more non-concurrent requests, we have proposed the use of multiple disks for the same movie. Since a disk needs to hold only one movie, an array of inexpensive disks can be used, which reduces the overall cost of the proposed system. A scheme supported by our disk storage method to provide all the functions of a remote control such as “fast-forwarding”, “rewinding” (with play “on” or “off”), “pause” and “play” has also been discussed. This scheme handles a user request independent of others and satisfies it without degrading the quality of service to other users. The server design presented in this paper achieves the multiple goals of high disk utilization, global buffer optimization, cost-effectiveness and high-quality service to the users.