Implementing total quality management at the U.S. Department of Defense

This paper examines Total Quality Management (TQM) as defined by Dr. W. Edwards Deming including Deming's fourteen points and explains how the United States' Department of Defense (DOD) defines TQM and why TQM is necessary. It also covers how the DOD is planning on implementing TQM and the policy that has been established as guidance in the implementation process.     

Role of Specimen Geometry in the Effect of Fiber Orientation on the Thermal Conductivity of a Uniaxial Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Aluminoborosilicate Glass-Matrix Composite

A study concerning the effect of fiber orientation on the thermal conductivity of a uniaxial carbon-fiber-reinforced borosilicate glass was conducted. For thin specimens, and thick specimens with specimen sides cut parallel to the fiber direction, the dependence of thermal conductivity on fiber orientation showed excellent agreement with theoretical behavior predicted for a composite infinite in extent. In contrast, the thermal conductivity data for rectangular thick specimens fell well below the data for the thin and angled specimens. For fiber orientation of 45° and higher, at which the heat was directed toward the side of the specimen rather than across, the thermal conductivity values showed excellent agreement with theoretical behavior predicted for a finite composite strip with insulated sides.     

Differences in color naming and color salience in Vietnamese and English

The accepted model of color naming postulates that 11 “basic” color terms representing 11 common perceptual experiences show increased processing salience due to a theorized linkage between perception, visual neurophysiology, and cognition. We tested this theory, originally proposed by Berlin and Kay in 1969. Experiment 1 tested salience by comparing unconstrained color naming across two languages, English and Vietnamese. Results were compared with previous research by Berlin and Kay, Boynton and Olson, and colleagues. Experiment 2 validated our stimuli by comparing OSA, Munsell, and newly rendered “basic” exemplars using colorimetry and behavioral measures. Our results show that the relationship between the visual and verbal domains is more complex than current theory acknowledges. An interpoint distance model of color‐naming behavior is proposed as an alternative perspective on color‐naming universality and color‐category structure. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 28, 113–138, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.10131     

More of the Same? Understanding Transformation in Tablet-based Academic Library Instruction

Academic librarians have shared their experiences with tablet computers, but few examine how librarians use tablets in their instruction design. While the education literature provides technology integration models, the nature of library instruction requires adapting these models to the library classroom. After reviewing literature related to tablets in library instruction and a number of technology integration frameworks, this article demonstrates an application of the Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition framework to analyze observations of an iPad-equipped classroom at a university library. Demonstrating this use of a framework provides an approach to technology integration and continues the discussion about tablets’ potential to promote innovative pedagogy.     

Performance comparison of 100Base-T fast ethernet and 100VG-AnyLAN

There are two competing technologies for 100 Mbps Ethernet, namely IEEE 802.3u 100Base-T Fast Ethernet and IEEE 802.12 100VG-AnyLAN. The former technology is based on the same medium access control protocol as the popular IEEE 802.3 CSMA/CD network, while the later is based on a new demand priority protocol. Contrary to common belief, a test conducted recently by Newman and Levy using commercially available adaptor cards and hubs showed that 100Base-T networks outperformed 100VG-AnyLAN networks with similar configurations by a significant margin. From the analytical models developed, we found that the anomaly is due to the larger-than-expected overheads incurred by the 100VG-AnyLAN hub in polling every station in the network in a round robin manner.     

Evaluating interfaces with children

Children are very different from adults—they have developing motor skills, limited reach, short attention spans, limited exposure to traditional user interfaces and social protocols. How do we evaluate user interfaces for children? In this paper, we present four evaluative techniques that we have successfully used with children.     

Comprehensive Warpage Analysis of Stacked Die MEMS Package in Accelerometer Application

<正>Packaging of MEMS ( micro-electro-mechanical system ) devices poses more challenges than conventional IC packaging, since the performance of the MEMS devices is highly dependent on packaging processes. A Land Grid Array ( LGA ) package is introduced for MEMS technology based linear multi-axis accelerometers. Finite element modeling is conducted to simulate the warpage behavior of the LGA packages. A method to correlate the package warpage to matrix block warpage has been developed. Warpage for both package and sensor substrate are obtained. Warpage predicted by simulation correlates very well with experimental measurements. Based on this validated method, detailed design analysis with different package geometrical variations are carried out to optimize the package design. With the optimized package structure, the packaging effect on accelerometer signal performance is well controlled.     

Evaluation of Smart Phones for Remote Control of a Standard Hospital Room

The standard hospital room interface for control of communication and entertainment devices assumes a patient has the ability to hold and press mechanical switches. If the patient does not have these abilities, then the patient must wait for a nurse to walk by the room to ask for help. Mobile devices using the Android and iOS operating systems are compared to accommodate the limitations of a patient for communication and control of the hospital room environment. In order to design an appropriate system, analysis of currently available off-the-shelf technology is performed to find the appropriate configuration that is compatible with the hospital room environment and covers a clear patient need. Evaluation of components for a fully integrated system is shown. Strengths and weaknesses of each technology are discussed. Progress toward an integrated solution on a tablet is provided in the conclusion.     

Numerical Optimization of an Active Voltage Controller for High-Power IGBT Converters

Feedback control of insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) in the active region can be used to regulate the device switching trajectory. This facilitates series connection of devices without the use of external snubber networks. Control must be achieved across the full active region of the IGBT and must balance a number of conflicting system goals including diode recovery. To date, the choice of control parameters has been a largely empirical process. This paper uses accurate device models and formalized optimization procedures to evaluate IGBT active voltage controllers. A detailed optimization for the control of IGBT turn-on is presented in this paper