An LP-based heuristic procedure for the generalized assignment problem with special ordered sets

The generalized assignment problem with special ordered sets (GAPS2), is the problem of allocating n tasks to m time-periods, where each task must be assigned to a time-period, or shared between two consecutive time-periods. For reasonably large values of m and n the NP-hard combinatorial problem GAPS2 becomes intractable for standard mathematical programming software, hence there is a need for heuristic algorithms to solve such problems. It will be shown how an LP-based heuristic developed previously for the well-established generalized assignment problem can be modified and extended to solve GAPS2. Encouraging results, in terms of speed and accuracy, in particular when compared to an existing heuristic for GAPS2, are described.     

A wavelet-based procedure for process fault detection

To detect faults in a time-dependent process, we apply a discrete wavelet transform (DWT) to several independently replicated data sets generated by that process. The DWT can capture irregular data patterns such as sharp "jumps" better than the Fourier transform and standard statistical procedures without adding much computational complexity. Our wavelet coefficient selection method effectively balances model parsimony against data reconstruction error. The few selected wavelet coefficients serve as the "reduced-size" data set to facilitate an efficient decision-making method in situations with potentially large-volume data sets. We develop a general procedure to detect process faults based on differences between the reduced-size data sets obtained from the nominal (in-control) process and from a new instance of the target process that must be tested for an out-of-control condition. The distribution of the test statistic is constructed first using normal distribution theory and then with a new resampling procedure called "reversed jackknifing" that does not require any restrictive distributional assumptions. A Monte Carlo study demonstrates the effectiveness of these procedures. Our methods successfully detect process faults for quadrupole mass spectrometry samples collected from a rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition process     

Magnetism in SiC implanted with high doses of Fe and Mn

High concentrations (0.1–5 at.%) of Mn or Fe were introduced into the near-surface region (≤2000 Å) of 6H-SiC substrates by direct implantation at ～300°C. After annealing at temperatures up to 1000°C, the structural properties were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected-area diffraction pattern (SADP) analysis. The magnetic properties were examined by SQUID magnetometry. While the Mn-implanted samples were paramagnetic over the entire dose range investigated, the Fe-implanted material displayed a ferromagnetic contribution present at <175 K for the highest dose conditions. No secondary phases were detected, at least not to the sensitivity of TEM or SADP.     

Development and characterization of magnetorheological polymer gels

Magnetorheological materials have been used in many applications in recent years. To develop new materials, polyurethane and silicone polymer gels were investigated. Rheology is qualitatively controlled for each system by controlling the concentration of reactants and diluents. The resulting polymers have solid, gel, or liquid states, depending on the crosslinking and dilution. The gels were characterized through kinetic analysis. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used with analysis methods to find the kinetic properties for diluted and undiluted polyurethane systems. Heat of reaction, order of reaction, preexponential constant, and activation energy were obtained from the experimental DSC data. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2733–2742, 2002     

Progressive neuronal degeneration of childhood (Alpers syndrome) with hepatic cirrhosis

A new technique for right heart catheterization using a Mullins' sheath is described. This device allows a Swan-Ganz catheter to reach pulmonary artery position easily and permits simultaneous pressure recordings in right heart chambers, thus avoiding a double venous puncture and two catheters. This new technique, its indications, and our experience in 29 patients are described. It is most useful in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension and in those conditions in which accurate right heart pressure measurements are needed.     

A video DSP with a macroblock-level-pipeline and a SIMD typevector-pipeline architecture for MPEG2 CODEC

A video DSP with macroblock-level-pipeline and a SIMD type vector-pipeline architecture (VDSP2) has been developed, using 0.5 μm triple-layer-metal CMOS technology. This 17.00 mm×15.00 mm chip consists of 2.5 M transistors, and operates at 100 MHz. The real-time encoder and decoder specified in the MPEG2 main profile at the main level can be realized with two VDSP2's and a motion estimation (ME) unit, and one VDSP2 respectively, at an 80 MHz clock rate, with a total power dissipation of 4.2 W at 3.3 V