A Laguerre polynomial-based bound on the symbol error probability for adaptive antennas with optimum combining

We derive a simple closed-form upper bound on the symbol error probability for coherent detection of M-ary phase-shift keying using antenna arrays with optimum combining, in the presence of multiple uncorrelated equal-power cochannel interferers and thermal noise in a Rayleigh fading environment. The new bound, based on Laguerre polynomials, is valid for an arbitrary number of antenna elements as well as arbitrary number of interferers, and it is proven to be asymptotically tight. Comparisons with Monte Carlo simulation are also provided, showing that our bound is useful in many cases of interest.     

The process window of a-Si/Ti bilayer metallization for anoxidation-resistant and self-aligned TiSi2 process

The dependences of both oxidation-resistant and self-aligned silicidation properties on the thicknesses of top amorphous-Si (a-Si) and Ti metal in an a-Si/Ti bilayer process are presented. It is shown that a thin silicide layer formed during the reaction between a-Si and Ti films becomes a stable oxidation and nitridation barrier for oxygen- and nitrogen-related impurities. Moreover, the formation sequence of the silicide phase depends not only on the annealing temperature but also on the thickness of the Ti film. In addition, the preferential orientation of the silicide phase after annealing at high temperature also shows a strong dependence on the thickness of Ti film, which is attributed to the difference of the grain size in the polycrystalline silicide film. The allowed process window for the a-Si thickness can be determined experimentally and a reproducible and homogeneous self-aligned TiSi₂ film can be easily obtained by using the a-Si/Ti bilayer process in salicide applications despite high-level contaminations of oxygen impurities in both the as-deposited Ti film and the annealing ambient     

Interactive Evolutionary Multi-Objective Optimization Algorithm Using Cone Dominance

As the number of objectives increases, the performance of the Pareto dominance-based Evolutionary Multi-objective Optimization (EMO) algorithms such as NSGA-II, SPEA2 severely deteriorates due to the drastic increase in the Pareto-incomparable solutions. We propose a sorting method which classifies these incomparable solutions into several ordered classes by using the decision maker's (DM) preference information. This is accomplished by designing an interactive evolutionary algorithm and constructing convex cones. This method allows the DMs to drive the search process toward a preferred region of the Pareto optimal front. The performance of the proposed algorithm is assessed for two, three, and four-objective knapsack problems. The results demonstrate the algorithm's ability to converge to the most preferred point. The evaluation and comparison of the results indicate that the proposed approach gives better solutions than that of NSGA-II. In addition, the approach is more efficient compared to NSGA-II in terms of the number of generations required to reach the preferred point.     

Solvent-assisted low pressure room temperature lamination of low temperature cofirable ceramic green tapes for formation of embedded micro channels

Low temperature cofired ceramic substrates are becoming increasingly attractive for high density electric circuits and microsystems. Embedded micro patterns such as channels and cavities in ceramic substrates are indispensable for circuit cooling and media transportation. One of process challenges is how to make these embedded micro channels and cavities, which would be collapsed or deformed under conventional lamination. This paper reports on a novel solvent-assisted lamination that could provide low pressure and room temperature lamination of ceramic green tapes. The solvent used in this study was turpentine oil, which demonstrated a proper capability of dissolving polymeric additives on surface of green tapes without obviously changing the distribution of ceramic particles. Procedures for forming embedded micro channels in ceramic green substrates include micro embossing to create open channels, coating of turpentine solvent, followed by low pressure and room temperature lamination. Embedded micro channels with channel width ranging from 25 to 1,000 μm were obtained in ceramic green substrates; Depths of embedded channels shrank by 3–12% versus embossed depths due to turpentine-assisted lamination. The ceramic green substrates with embedded channels were then sintered under a standard cofiring process.     

Solution of laplace equation by the method of separation of variables

Abstract

The Laplace equation, which is used to describe the problem of two‐dimensional heat conduction with appropriate boundary conditions at steady state, is solved in this work by applying the method of separation of variables. The primary objective of this work involves discussing the effects of the constant value of the separation of variables (p) and the sequential order of substituting boundary conditions on the solution. Without appropriately arranging the sequential order of substituting the boundary conditions, the solution for non‐zero constant values of separation of variables (p) can not be obtained. For a zero value for the constant of the separation of variables, the solution obtained is trivial or does not exist. Solutions in different forms are obtained by using different values for the constant of the separation of variables (p) and for the sequential orders of substituting the boundary conditions.     

Isolation and identification of caffeine-degrading bacteria from coffee plantation area

Decaffeination of food and beverage products is in high demand. In this study, a caffeine-degrading bacterium Burkholderia spp. was isolated from coffee plantation area of Chiang Mai province of Thailand. The bacterial isolates were first identified by morphological, physiological, and biochemical tests followed by 16S rDNA analysis. The bacterial isolate of Burkholderia spp. showed 45.5% of caffeine degradation in caffeine containing media (2.5 g/L) after 110 h of incubation period. Burkholderia spp. showed only 2.6% caffeine degradation when exposed to high concentrations of caffeine containing medium (20 g/L). The growth rate of Burkholderia spp. declined with the increase in the caffeine concentration, which indicated the inhibiting effect of caffeine at very high concentrations. The maximum growth rate of 0.053 h^?1 was observed at 2.5 g/L of caffeine. Overall due to high caffeine tolerance and biodegradation of caffeine, Burkholderia spp. can be effectively used to degrade caffeine from agro-industrial wastes targeted for value added food applications and environmental remediation.     

England's Town Development Act: 1952: PART I: Background of the Act

The land use model recasts an unsuccessful urban form of the past. Concentric rings of declining land value begin at the intense, historic center and grade down through concentric rings to become the city plan. Little planning remains after such a model is accepted. The new freedom of the auto-age city is lost to the principle of a falling body. Further, the land use model plan restricts mobility of resident and employer by type, each to his ring Urban land value patterns are sustained by public action or inaction. A true city plan musters this power to form the best possible city.