A redundant multivalued logic for a 10-Gb/s CMOS demultiplexer IC

A redundant multivalued logic is proposed for high-speed communication ICs. In this logic, serial binary data are received and converted into parallel redundant multivalued data. Then they are restored into parallel binary data. Because of the multivalued data conversion, this logic makes it possible to achieve higher operating speeds than that of a conventional binary logic. Using this logic, a 1:4 demultiplexer (DEMUX, serial-parallel converter) IC was fabricated using a 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS process. The IC achieved an operating speed of 10 Gb/s with a supply voltage of only 1.3 V and with power consumption of 38 mW. This logic may achieve CMOS communication ICs with an operating speed several times greater than 10 Gb/s.     

Mechanical properties of SiNxCx ceramic films prepared by plasma CVD

The mechanical properties of Si₃N₄-SiC, SiN_x and SiC_y films prepared at a low temperature of 400 °C by plasma chemical vapour deposition are reported. Microhardness, internal stress of the film and adhesive strength between the film and glass or stainless steel substrate were evaluated as principal mechanical properties. Microhardness was measured to be about 10 to 20 G Pa dependent on the film composition in each system. Internal stress of the films on borosilicate glass substrates extensively varied from tensile to compressive with the film composition change from Si₃N₄ to SiC. Adhesive strength, as ascertained by the scratch test, was about 580 to 800 MPa for crown glass substrates, and about 210 to 310 M Pa for 316 stainless steel substrates. It is pointed out that tensile stress in these films brought about more abrupt decreases of the adhesive strength than did compressive stress.     

Comfort limits for asymmetric thermal radiation

Groups of 32 and 16 subjects of both sexes were exposed in an environmental chamber to radiant asymmetry caused by a cool wall, a warm wall, and a cool ceiling. Each subject was tested individually while seated and clothed at 0.6 clo. During each 3.5-hour experiment the subject was exposed to six radiant temperature asymmetries. He was asked whether and where he experienced any local cool or warm sensation, and whether it was felt to be uncomfortable. During the entire experiment he was kept thermally neutral by changing the air temperature according to his wishes.For cool walls, warm walls, and cool ceilings curves have been established showing the percentage of dissatisfied subjects as a function of the radiant asymmetry. Radiant asymmetry at a warm wall caused less discomfort than a cool wall. A cool ceiling caused less discomfort than a warm ceiling. Accepting that 5% of the subjects may feel uncomfortable. a radiant temperature asymmetry of 10°C is allowable at a cool wall, 23°C at a warm wall, and 14°C under a cool ceiling. A previous study showed that 4°C is allowable under a warm ceiling. Radiant asymmetry had no significant impact on the operative temperatures preferred by the subjects. No significant differences were observed between the responses of men and women exposed to radiant asymmetry.     

Practical method for generation expansion planning based on dynamic programming

This paper presents an efficient method which provides the optimal generation mix and the optimal generation construction process. The approximation method in which the dynamic programming technique and gradient method are combined is applied to determine the optimal generation mix with hydropower generation technologies. The successive approximations dynamic programming (SADP) technique, which is very suitable for high-dimensional multistage decision process problems, is used for obtaining the optimal generation construction process. The effectiveness and feasibility of the developed technique are demonstrated on a practical power system model which has five types of generation technologies including a hydropower generation technology.     

Intramolecular triplet energy migration in poly(2-vinylnaphthalene) and poly(naphthylalkyl methacrylate)s in solid solution: Effects of side chain length

Summary The effect of side chain length on intramolecular triplet energy migration of naphthalene containing polymers was investigated by a delayed fluorescence (DF) spectroscopy for the solid solution of the polymers. The degree of triplet energy migration depends strongly on whether the chromophores are directly attached to the main chain or not.     

Temperature and pressure effects on supercritical CO2 extraction of tomato seed oil

Tomato seed oil was extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide in a semibatch-flow extractor within the temperature range 313–343 K and the pressure range 10.8–24.5MPa. The extraction rates increased with pressure, but decreased with temperature increase because of the variation in solvent density and resultant differences in oil solubility. The fatty acid composition of the extracted oil was similar to that of soybean oil.     

A case of macrocystic cervical neurinoma diagnosed by MRI with Gd-DTPA

The authors report a rare case of a large cystic cervical neurinoma. A 45-year-old female was admitted to our clinic because of motor weakness of the right upper extremity, numbness of the right fingers and right posterior cervical pain. Metrizamide CT myelography demonstrated the outline of a low density mass. MRI showed a mass revealing low signal intensity on T1-weighted image, high signal intensity on T2-weighted image and marginal enhancement on contrast image with Gd-DTPA. The mass which was diagnosed as cystic tumor, was located in the intradural extramedullary space between C4 to C5 segments. After C4 through C5 laminectomy, the tumor was found to originate from the C5 anterior motor root. The tumor consisted mostly of a cystic part with a very thin solid compartment beneath the capsule. Postoperative course of the patient was uneventful. Although spinal neurinoma is one of the most common spinal tumors, an almost completely degenerated large cystic spinal neurinoma is extremely rare. MRI with Gd-DTPA was useful for the diagnosis of the cystic neurinoma by clearly enhancing the margin of the tumor.