Note on the occurrence of a terrestrial isopod, Hemilepistus klugii (Brandt) in Baluchistan, Pakistan

During a computer-aided search of the Crustacea collection in the Department of Invertebrate Zoology at the Smithsonian Institution (USNM), a record was found for the existence of Hemilepistus klugii (Brandt, 1833) in Pakistan.

TWO TUTORIAL EXAMPLES OF MULTIVARIABLE CONTROL SYSTEM DESIGN.

Two tutorial examples are presented which illustrate different methods of designing practical multivariable control systems using frequency-domain techniques. In the first case eigenvector alignment techniques are used to manipulate and shape the generalized Nyquist diagrams, while in the second case LQG theory in conjunction with singular value plots is employed. In both cases the designs are carried out on a modern computer-aided control-system design package.

Optimal design of Functionally Graded Materials using a procedural model and Particle Swarm Optimization

A new method for the optimal design of Functionally Graded Materials (FGM) is proposed in this paper. Instead of using the widely used explicit functional models, a feature tree based procedural model is proposed to represent generic material heterogeneities. A procedural model of this sort allows more than one explicit function to be incorporated to describe versatile material gradations and the material composition at a given location is no longer computed by simple evaluation of an analytic function, but obtained by execution of customizable procedures. This enables generic and diverse types of material variations to be represented, and most importantly, by a reasonably small number of design variables. The descriptive flexibility in the material heterogeneity formulation as well as the low dimensionality of the design vectors help facilitate the optimal design of functionally graded materials. Using the nature-inspired Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) method, functionally graded materials with generic distributions can be efficiently optimized. We demonstrate, for the first time, that a PSO based optimizer outperforms classical mathematical programming based methods, such as active set and trust region algorithms, in the optimal design of functionally graded materials. The underlying reason for this performance boost is also elucidated with the help of benchmarked examples. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation and modeling of lanthanum diffusion in TiN/La 2O 3/HfSiON/SiO 2/Si high-k stacks

In this study, TiN/La 2O 3/HfSiON/SiO 2/Si gate stacks with thick high-k (HK) and thick pedestal oxide were used. Samples were annealed at different temperatures and times in order to characterize in detail the interaction mechanisms between La and the gate stack layers. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) measurements performed on these samples show a time diffusion saturation of La in the high-k insulator, indicating an La front immobilization due to LaSiO formation at the high-k/interfacial layer. Based on the SIMS data, a technology computer aided design (TCAD) diffusion model including La time diffusion saturation effect was developed. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.

Design and optimization of planar mesa termination for diamond Schottky barrier diodes

In this paper, we present planar mesa termination structure with high k dielectric Al2O3 for high-voltage diamond Schottky barrier diode. Analysis, design, and optimization are carried out by simulations using finite element technology computer-aided design (TCAD) Sentaurus Device software. The performances of planar mesa termination structure are compared to those of conventional field plate termination structure. It is found that optimum geometry of planar mesa terminated diode requires shorter metal plate extension (1/3 of the field plate terminated diode). Consequently, planar mesa terminated diode can be designed with bigger Schottky contact to increase its current carrying capability. Breakdown performance of field plate termination structure is limited at 1480 V due to peak electric field at the corner of Schottky contact (no oxide breakdown occurs). In contrast, peak electric field in planar mesa termination structure only occurs in the field oxide such that its breakdown performance is highly dependent on the oxide material. Due to Al2O3 breakdown, planar mesa termination structure suffers premature breakdown at 1440 V. Considering no oxide breakdown occurs, planar mesa termination structure can realize higher breakdown voltage of 1751 V. Therefore, to fully realize the potential of planar mesa terminated diode, it is important to choose suitable high k dielectric material with sufficient breakdown electric field for the field oxide. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Developing ISO 14649-based conversational programming system for multi-channel complex machine tools

A multi-channel complex machine tool (MCCM) is a versatile machining system equipped with more than two spindles and turrets for both turning and milling operations. Despite the potential of such a tool, the value of the hardware is largely dependent on how the machine tools are effectively programmed for machining. In this paper we consider a shop-floor programming system based on ISO 14649 (called e-CAM), the international standard for the interface between computer-aided manufacture (CAM) and computer numerical control (CNC). To be deployed in practical industrial usage a great deal of research has to be carried out. In this paper we present: 1) Design consideration for an e-CAM system, 2) The architecture design of e-CAM, 3) Major algorithms to fulfill the modules defined in the architecture, and 4) Implementation details.

Embodied Artificial Intelligence

This book is devoted to the rapidly growing highly interdisciplinary field of embodied artificial intelligence involving researchers from areas as diverse as computer science, engineering, cognitive science, neuroscience, biology, ...

嵌入式DSP系统中SDF模型的层次化存储优化方法

在同步数据流模型(SDF)描述的嵌入式数字信号处理(DSP)系统中,计算体单一出现调度(SAS)算法对于存在反馈环和数据密集处理的应用不可解或内存优化效果很差.文中提出了将SAS和Non-SAS类型调度算法相结合的层次化的存储优化方法,定义了数据密集分量和强连通分量来描述环和数据密集处理结构,并依据数据优先消耗原则设计了启发式的Non-SAS调度算法对分量进行存储优化.该方法适用于任意SDF模型,并有良好的存储优化效果.实验结果证明了其有效性.

一种新型的计算机审计模型

在分析计算机审计的特点及需求的基础上,借鉴数据仓库、OLAP、数据挖掘等技术的优势,提出了一种新型的计算机审计模型。该模型克服了传统审计软件的不足,有效地解决了面对海量数据的审计等问题,提高了审计的效率及质量。最后还对智能审计的发展作了一定的探讨。

Ginsenoside R-e increases fertile and asthenozoospermic infertile human sperm motility by induction of nitric oxide synthase

We investigated the effects of Ginsenoside R-e on human sperm motility in fertile and asthenozoospermic infertile individuals in vitro and the mechanism by which the Ginsenosides play their roles. The semen samples were obtained from 10 fertile volunteers and 10 asthenozoospermic infertile patients. Spermatozoa were separated by Percoll and incubated with 0, 1, 10 or 100 mu M of Ginsenoside R-e. Total sperm motility and progressive motility were measured by computer-aided sperm analyzer (CASA). Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity was determined by the H-3-arginine to H-3-citrulline conversion assay, and the NOS protein was examined by the Western blot analysis. The production of sperm nitric oxide (NO) was detected using the Griess reaction. The results showed that Ginsenoside R-e significantly enhanced both fertile and infertile sperm motility, NOS activity and NO production in a concentration-dependent manner. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 100 nM), a NO donor, mimicked the effects of Ginsenoside R-e. And pretreatment with a NOS inhibitor N-omega-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 mu M) or a NO scavenger N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (LNAC, 1 mM) completely blocked the effects of Ginsenoside R-e. Data suggested that Ginsenoside R-e is beneficial to sperm motility, and that induction of NOS to increase NO production may be involved in this benefit.

基于知识重用的针织服装工艺快速设计系统

目前针织服装设计领域面临着日益加剧的市场竞争，传统的基于手工设计的研发模式已不能适应当前多品种、小批量、交货期短的市场需求。传统的计算机辅助设计软件（Computer Aided Design, 简称CAD）在服装行业得到广泛应用，但效果与期望值相差较远。传统设计软件多关注于设计结果的表达与重用，对于设计过程中的计算知识重用机制缺乏有效的支持；另外这些设计软件大多基于传统的WIMP范式的菜单或命令行交互方式，不符合人们用纸笔勾画的习惯，不利于计算机操作水平普遍较低的服装行业从业人员的使用。本文拟基于知识重用的设计思想，将笔交互技术引入到传统针织服装工艺设计过程中，设计并实现一个基于知识重用的针织服装工艺快速设计系统，进而提高服装设计的效率。 论文主要研究内容包括： （1）通过分析传统针织服装工艺设计过程特点，提出了基于知识重用的针织服装工艺快速设计过程模型，并分析了该过程模型的特点，建立了系统业务流程和系统框架； （2）针对设计案例形状知识的重用，研究了形状知识的表达和提取方法，针对典型款式的针织服装设计，提出了设计轮廓图的实例化算法实现了尺寸驱动功能，提出了基于草图相似度的设计案例推荐技术，该推荐技术分别采用特征点匹配和形状匹配实现了设计案例的推荐； （3）针对设计案例计算知识的重用，研究了计算知识的表达方法，设计了面向计算知识编辑的基于手势的笔式用户界面，改进了传统Radial布局算法对计算知识进行可视化呈现，以辅助设计者对计算知识的理解和编辑； （4）在上述研究的基础上，设计并实现了一个基于知识重用的针织服装工艺快速设计系统，经过实验评估，该系统相比于传统的CAD软件能显著提高设计效率。