Model checker aided design of a controller for a wafer scanner

For a case-study of a wafer scanner from the semiconductor industry it is shown how model checking techniques can be used to compute (1) a simple yet optimal deadlock avoidance policy, and (2) an infinite schedule that optimizes throughput. in the absence of errors. Deadlock avoidance is studied based on a simple finite state model using Smv, and for throughput analysis a more detailed timed automaton model has been constructed and analyzed using the Uppaal tool. The Smv and Uppaal models are formally related through the notion of a stuttering bisimulation. The results were obtained within 2 weeks, which confirms once more that model checking techniques may help to improve the design process of realistic, industrial systems. Methodologically, the case study is interesting since two models were used to obtain results that could not have been obtained using only a single model. Supported by the European Community Project IST-2001-35304 (Ametist), http://ametist.cs.utwente.nl/.     

Practical accuracy analysis of some existing effective channellength and series resistance extraction methods for MOSFET's

A method to analyze the accuracy of the extracted values for the channel length (L_eff) and series resistance (R_s) of MOSFET devices is presented. The analysis is based on a statistical argument being the variance σ of the extracted results. This variance is found to be a good measure for the accuracy of the particular extraction method used. It is shown that, in the case of deep submicron technologies, errors as large as 200 nm for ΔL can be made for these extraction methods depending on the process design and the process control. The use of a single transistor method is suggested as a possible solution to the low accuracy of the L-array methods     

Receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatases: alike and yet so different

Reversible phosphorylation on tyrosine residues is an extremely rapid and powerful posttranslational modification that is used in signalling pathways for the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. Over the past several years an impressive number of receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatase (RPTPase) family members have been identified by molecular cloning, and undoubtedly many more will follow. This review provides an overview of the molecular data that are available for the currently identified RPTPases and discusses their possible biological implications.     

Toward a classification of discourse patterns in asynchronous online discussions

The goal of this study was to develop a classification for a range of discourse patterns that occur in text-based asynchronous discussion forums, and that can aid in the distinction of three modes of discourse: knowledge sharing, knowledge construction, and knowledge building. The dataset was taken from Knowledge Forum® databases in the Knowledge Building Teacher Network in Hong Kong, and included three discussion views created for different classes: Grade 5 Science, Grade 10 Visual Arts, and Grade 10 Liberal Studies. We used a combination of qualitative coding and narrative analysis as well as teachers’ understanding of online discourse to analyze student discussions. Nine discourse patterns were identified. These patterns revealed a variety of ways in which students go about their collaborative interactions online and demonstrated how and why students succeed or fail in sustaining collaborative interactions. This study extended the three modes of online discourse and developed different discourse patterns, which are efforts to provide instructional guidance. The implications of supporting productive discourse and the enactment of CSCL innovations in classrooms are discussed.     

Unsupervised and simultaneous training of multiple object detectors from unlabeled surveillance video

Object detection is an essential component in automated vision-based surveillance systems. In general, object detectors are constructed using training examples obtained from large annotated data sets. The inevitable limitations of typical training data sets make such supervised methods unsuitable for building generic surveillance systems applicable to a wide variety of scenes and camera setups. In our previous work we proposed an unsupervised method for learning and detecting the dominant object class in a general dynamic scene observed by a static camera. In this paper, we investigate the possibilities to expand the applicability of this method to the problem of multiple dominant object classes. We propose an idea on how to approach this expansion, and perform an evaluation of this idea using two representative surveillance video sequences.     

真汉子与音响改装——DLS勇夺SQ组冠军

美国佛罗里达州的阿迪(Eddie DeJesus)对汽车音响改装知根知底。2001年产的雪佛兰(Chevy S-10)轻型小货车焕然一新,功率高达1600瓦特,阿迪感慨道:简直不可思议!阿迪(Eddie DeJesus)这样评价其A/V系统:在汽车音响竞赛中,它的配置并不复杂,别的改装车配置了很多高端设备,其系统线路精密。可这套音响系统的结构分布和器材搭配方面仍具有一定的参考价值。我们首要关切的是,尽量保留其原车配置,力求二者能够和气生财。     

众里寻她千百度——Chrysler 300 SRT8音响改装，欲与天公试比高

有一个问题一直困扰着卡特:在售后市场上,他不能淘到一款与6.1 Hemi相匹配的发电机。对于在2006年产的Chrysler 300 SRT8,卡特指出:原车160安培的交流发电机似乎有点勉为其难。除了引擎,他还想打造一个属于他自己的SQ音响系统。卡特称:我的最终目标是尽量保持原车面貌,遵循原车规     

补形箱制作续集

这个月,我们继续介绍2007年产Project Toyota Avalon(本田亚洲龙)的补形低音箱制作。该低音箱能够最大限度地利用汽车后尾箱,而又保持后尾箱的储物空间,它与汽车内饰非常合衬,且并不需做任何的切割工作,迄今为止,它是我最喜爱的一只低音箱。把它安装到许多的车辆上,它的效果都让人十分满意。如果您想加装低音箱和保留后尾箱的储物空间两不误,那么赶紧瞪大眼睛,打起十万分的精神,看看我们到底如何进行低音安装!     

海阔凭鱼跃——“小鱼儿”与音响改装

1989年,当时的卡车司机小鱼儿(戴夫·里韦拉的昵称)运货到波士顿的一家改装店。在这家店里的所见所闻赋予他无穷的想象力和灵感,至此,他的生命有了重大的转折。一年后,这个自学成才的改装技师,打造了平生的第一辆改装车——丰田花冠,并在当年的亚什卡(IASCA)赛事中荣获头名。打那以后,他就未曾停止过改装的步伐。上一次,我曾经跟小鱼儿打过照面,当时他升级改装的是自己日常座驾——福特Expedition(CA&E杂志2005年5月刊(注:美国《CAR AUDIO AND ELECTRONICS》简称CA&E)。那是他梦寐以求的原车升级改装,可以作为一个特殊的选择方案提供给福特。一直以来,他追求轻巧优雅和美观大方的改装理念,今年,他的1956年产Bel-Air被他摆弄得光彩照人,自然而然在Kenwood(建伍)CES电子展出尽了风头。我们和小鱼儿谈论了他的改装车及其未来的动向。     

改装大风暴

据Burbank,CA的Rodz改装店透露,所有进口的经典小汽车或卡车,无论其形状或大小,还是品牌或车型,他们都可以进行动力升级改装音响改装。而这次的车展是顶尖的改装店展示自我风采的大好时机。Rodz改装店陆师傅(Jay Ludwig)是老板麦克(Mike Donatelli)的好朋友,他负责