Laser cross section measurement for the evaluation of single-event effects in integrated circuits

The cross section of ICs extracted from particles accelerator testing is extended to the pulsed laser testing. The extraction methodology attached to this new parameter is presented. It provides a new tool for integrated circuits reliability quantification, illustrated in the case of SEU sensitivity evaluation of a single SRAM cell.     

Systems design means process precision,but emphasizes culture,value, and results

The issue: What does a comprehensive internal dispute resolution system look like? The problems: Is it current? Is it responsive? Is it effective? The perspective: Melanie Lewis, of Atlanta, describes how Coca‐Cola Enterprises Inc. assesses its conflict resolution needs, as well as how it implements, operates, and monitors its program–including provisions to redesign for new developments     

Effect of substituent in the heterocyclic ring on the course of the nuclear-chemical synthesis

Ion-molecule reactions of free phenyl cations generated by β-decay of tritium incorporated in labeled benzene with various pyridine derivatives were studied. The effect of electron-donor (methyl groups) and electron-acceptor (bromine) substituents in the heterocyclic ring on the course of electrophilic addition and electrophilic substitution was studied. The one-step nuclear-chemical synthesis yielded N-phenyl quaternary salts of methyl and bromo derivatives of pyridine and quinoline, labeled with tritium.     

Mechanism of rhodium(III) co-precipitation with copper sulfide (at low Rh concentrations) incorporating a new cationic substitution reaction path

This study is an investigation into the mechanism and kinetics of Rh³⁺ co-precipitation with CuS upon the addition of a large excess of aqueous thiosulfate to acidic base metal sulfate solutions, where [Rh³⁺] is two orders of magnitude lower than [Cu²⁺], over 50–150 °C. The heterogeneous cationic substitution reaction has been identified as a new precipitation path in metal sulfide co-precipitation.     

Individual differences in drivers’ cognitive processing of road safety messages

Using Gray and McNaughton's (2000) revised reinforcement sensitivity theory (r-RST), we examined the influence of personality on processing of words presented in gain-framed and loss-framed anti-speeding messages and how the processing biases associated with personality influenced message acceptance. The r-RST predicts that the nervous system regulates personality and that behaviour is dependent upon the activation of the behavioural activation system (BAS), activated by reward cues and the fight-flight-freeze system (FFFS), activated by punishment cues. According to r-RST, individuals differ in the sensitivities of their BAS and FFFS (i.e., weak to strong), which in turn leads to stable patterns of behaviour in the presence of rewards and punishments, respectively. It was hypothesised that individual differences in personality (i.e., strength of the BAS and the FFFS) would influence the degree of both message processing (as measured by reaction time to previously viewed message words) and message acceptance (measured three ways by perceived message effectiveness, behavioural intentions, and attitudes). Specifically, it was anticipated that, individuals with a stronger BAS would process the words presented in the gain-frame messages faster than those with a weaker BAS and individuals with a stronger FFFS would process the words presented in the loss-frame messages faster than those with a weaker FFFS. Further, it was expected that greater processing (faster reaction times) would be associated with greater acceptance for that message. Driver licence holding students (N = 108) were recruited to view one of four anti-speeding messages (i.e., social gain-frame, social loss-frame, physical gain-frame, and physical loss-frame). A computerised lexical decision task assessed participants’ subsequent reaction times to message words, as an indicator of the extent of processing of the previously viewed message. Self-report measures assessed personality and the three message acceptance measures. As predicted, the degree of initial processing of the content of the social gain-framed message mediated the relationship between the reward sensitive trait and message effectiveness. Initial processing of the physical loss-framed message partially mediated the relationship between the punishment sensitive trait and both message effectiveness and behavioural intention ratings. These results show that reward sensitivity and punishment sensitivity traits influence cognitive processing of gain-framed and loss-framed message content, respectively, and subsequently, message effectiveness and behavioural intention ratings. Specifically, a range of road safety messages (i.e., gain-frame and loss-frame messages) could be designed which align with the processing biases associated with personality and which would target those individuals who are sensitive to rewards and those who are sensitive to punishments.     

Silicon Nitride Rolling Bearings for Extreme Operating Conditions

The high hardness and excellent high-temperature performance of ceramics are attractive for critical rolling-bearing applications, such as in high-thermal-efficiency engines. In addition, the lower density of ceramics permits lower centrifugal loads, less skidding at high speeds, and, consequently, results in longer bearing component life than conventional bearing steels or alternative super-alloys or cermets. Silicon nitride has the lowest friction and elastic modulus of the available ceramics, which reduce bearing contact stresses. This paper reviews the merits and demerits of silicon nitride as a bearing material, its processing, and different mechanisms for solid-lubricant replenishment in severe environments. Test data and application design guidelines accumulated to dale are also provided.     

Design Criteria for Externally Pressurized Gas Bearings for Operation at High Temperatures and High Speeds

The paper describes an experimental program using externally pressurized gas bearings whose objective was to gain design information which would be applicable to operation at high speeds and high temperature. The objective was to maintain flow rates to some acceptable minimum while at the same time attaining requirements of load capacity, temperature, and stable operating conditions. The paper describes work that has been done on a variety of configurations in order to establish some nondimensional stability map. The bulk of the variations were observed at low temperatures as a function of nondimensional parameters which took into account temperature dependent variables. These results were later checked to temperatures of 1200 F and speeds to 60,000 rpm. In order to obtain results with regard to the parameters which were not influenced by certain geometry changes, care was taken to insure that isothermal conditions existed. Later work will be necessary to interject the variable of possible temperature gradients which will result in distortions and geometrical changes.