Mean value analysis of closed queueing networks with Erlang service time distributions

The classical mean value analysis approach is extended to single class closed queueing networks containing Erlang service time distributions and FCFS scheduling disciplines. A new formula for the mean residence time of jobs is derived. Each iteration provides self-checks for validity, and is repeated whenever invalid results are detected. On the average, the solutions obtained vary by less than five percent from their respective simulation results.     

Performance characteristics of parallel resonant convertor

Using a set of characteristic curves derived from the stateplane analysis, a novel approach to the design of the parallel resonant convertor (PRC) is presented. It will be shown that the steady-state response of the convertor can also be obtained from these characteristic curves     

Development of sealing compositions with nanostructure iron-based fillers

The possibility of utilizing nanopowders of iron and Fe-Co-Ni produced bu a thermochemical method in the fabrication of sealing composition materials is investigated. It is established that such hermetic sealing composition materials function reliably under extremal conditions and guarantee elevated strength of adhesion to the surface of the metal and high corrosion and temperature stability. __________ Translated from Poroshkaya Metallurgiya, Nos. 3–4(448), pp. 112–117, March–April, 2006.     

Implementation of sustainable sanitation in existing urban areas: long-term strategies for an optimised solution.

If technologies for decentralised sanitation and reuse (DESAR) and for natural stormwater management should at least partially replace existing systems, then intensive reconstruction work becomes essential. A conversion can only be realised successively over a long period due to high construction and financial expenses and requires new strategies. This paper presents the development and practical implementation of a mathematical tool to find an optimised strategy for the realisation of alternative and more decentralised drainage and sanitation concepts in existing urban areas. The succession of construction measures (e.g. the implementation of decentralised greywater recycling) for the whole period of consideration is determined based upon a mathematical optimisation model on the condition that the favoured future state is known. The model describes the complex interdependencies of the urban water and nutrient cycle and enables the minimisation of both financial efforts and ecological impacts on the way toward the future state. The results of the implementation for a rural area in Germany show that the mathematical optimisation is an adequate instrument to support decision-making processes in finding strategies for the realisation of sustainable urban water management.     

Vesicular transport of nutrients in the small intestine during natural feeding

Ultrastructural aspects of the absorption of nutrients by the rat small bowel under natural feeding and administration of a food mixture homogenate to a small bowel strip were studied. It is shown that as early as 25 min after the onset of feeding, nutrients get into the proximal part of the small bowel, run across the epithelial barrier and enter the stroma of the intestinal villi and the vascular bed. Active absorption of nutrients is also observed in situ under limited intracavitary hydrolysis. The identified nutrients penetrate the apical membrane of enterocytes by pinocytosis, are detectable but inside vesicular structures of the cell, and get into the intercellular space by exocytosis. The concept of the existence of the control systems preventing foreign substances from penetration in the body and eliminating the sequels of such a penetration has been worded.     

A Micropower Interface ASIC for a Capacitive 3-Axis Micro-Accelerometer

In this paper, a micropower interface IC for a capacitive 3-axis micro-accelerometer implemented in a 0.13- BiCMOS process is presented. The sensor interface consists of a front-end that converts the acceleration signal to voltage, two algorithmic ADCs, two frequency references, and a voltage, current, and temperature reference circuit. Die area and power dissipation are reduced by using time-multiplexed sampling and varying duty cycles down to 0.3%. The chip with a 0.51 active area draws 62 from a 1.8 V supply while sampling temperature at 100 Hz, and four proof masses, each at 1.04 kHz. With a 4-g capacitive 3-axis accelerometer, the measured noise floors in the x-, y-, and z-directions are 482 , 639 , and 662 , respectively.     

High-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and characteristic electron-energy loss spectroscopy of the electronic structure of phosphorus-implanted silicon and quantum dots of silicon dioxide with silicon impurities

The effect of phosphorus impurities on the electronic structure of silicon single crystals and SiO₂: Si nanocomposites is studied. The SiO₂: Si structures with phosphorus impurities that are annealed over 2 h at a temperature of 1000°C exhibit an increase in the photoluminescence peak related to Si nanocrystals. The experimentally determined densities of states in the valence and conduction bands of SiO₂: Si composites are in good agreement with the local electronic structure in the vicinity of silicon impurities that is calculated within the approximation of linear muffin-tin orbitals.