CAS-BUS: A Test Access Mechanism and a Toolbox Environment for Core-Based System Chip Testing

As System on a Chip (SoC) testing faces new challenges, some new test architectures must be developed. This paper describes a Test Access Mechanism (TAM) named CAS-BUS that solves some of the new problems the test industry has to deal with. This TAM is scalable, flexible and dynamically reconfigurable. The CAS-BUS architecture is compatible with the IEEE P1500 standard proposal in its current state of development, and is controlled by Boundary Scan features.This basic CAS-BUS architecture has been extended with two independent variants. The first extension has been designed in order to manage SoC made up with both wrapped cores and non wrapped cores with Boundray Scan features. The second deals with a test pin expansion method in order to solve the I/O bandwidth problem. The proposed solution is based on a new compression/decompression mechanism which provides significant results in case of non correlated test patterns processing. This solution avoids TAM performance degradation.These test architectures are based on the CAS-BUS TAM and allow trade-offs to optimize both test time and area overhead. A tool-box environment is provided, in order to automatically generate the needed component to build the chosen SoC test architecture.     

Six Sigma experience as a stochastic process

This study empirically investigates the states of Six Sigma from a stochastic point of view. By the means of an advanced survey, 97 respondents are asked to rate the effect of Six Sigma on different performance categories, the cost of implementing Six Sigma, the level of enthusiasm and expectations from Six Sigma over 20 years. The autocorrelation and cross-correlation functions of these processes are analyzed to investigate the stages of Six Sigma. Consequently, new concepts namely steady state of Six Sigma and Six Sigma experience functions are introduced which shed light on the life cycle of Six Sigma within the companies.     

Synthesis,characterization and polymerization of novel sugars based on methacrylate

The present study describes the synthesis and characterizations of polymerizable vinyl sugars. Glucose, mannose, galactose and fructose are abundant and sustainable natural compounds. As it is not possible to make many derivatives of sugars without using protective groups, first of all, diacetone derivatives [diacetone-d-glucose (1), diacetone-d-mannose (2), diacetone-d-galactose (3) and diacetone-d-fructose (4)] were synthesized according to the literature as starting compounds. The remaining free hydroxyl groups on C-3 (diacetone glucose), C-6 (diacetone galactose), C-1 (diacetone fructose) and C-1 (diacetone mannose), were reacted with epichlorohydrin (1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane) to produce then “-O-(2′,3′-epoxypropane-1′-yl)” ether derivatives (5, 6, 7, and 8) which are epoxy sugars in the basic medium. Next, the epoxy rings of the ethers (5, 6, 7, and 8) were opened with methacrylic acid in DMF to produce new sugar based methacrylates (9, 10, 11, and 12). Finally, free radical polymerization of these sugar based methacrylate monomers was performed, producing related polymers (13, 14, 15 and 16). The polymerizations were carried out using AIBN as an initiator at 70 °C in DMF. All the products were characterized by FTIR, ¹HNMR and ¹³CNMR techniques. Thermal properties of all polymers were investigated by TG, DTG and DSC. The data obtained has suggested that thermal stability of the synthesized polymers has changed with the structure of the sugar and increase in molecular weight.     

Understanding the Corrosion Inhibition Mechanism of Mild Steel in Hydrochloric Acid by a Triazole Derivative: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Approach

Protection of Metals and Physical Chemistry of Surfaces - The effect of an heterocycle triazole, namely (1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methanol (MTM) on the corrosion of mild steel in...     

Using augmented reality technology in storytelling activities: examining elementary students’ narrative skill and creativity

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of augmented reality technology on stories in terms of narrative skill, story length and creativity and also to examine correlations between these variables. Posttest-only design with a nonequivalent group model was used. In this study, the sample consisted of 100 fifth-grade elementary students, comprising 46 boys and 54 girls. Purposive and convenience sampling methods were applied. For purposive sampling, the group’s ages, education levels, and experiences in storytelling activities were gathered, and for convenience sampling, easy access to schools was considered. As data collection tools, a suitable narrative scale was used which was found in the literature and creative story form was developed by the researcher. According to the findings, mean scores for all variables for the experimental group were higher than those for the control group. Also, a statistically significant mean difference was found between the experimental and control groups with regard to narrative skill, length of stories, and creativity in stories. In fact, a positive correlation was found between all variables. It is important to recognize when a technology is found to contribute positively to narrative skill and creativity in telling stories, and to ensure this technology is used. Determining correlation between these variables may provide a contribution to studies about evaluating the effect of the new technologies.     

Garlic peroxidase immobilized into chitosan matrix suitable for biosensors applications

Peroxidase X₁ (POX₁) isoenzyme was purified from garlic bulb (Allium sativum L.). Native-PAGE profile showed two isoforms partially purified (designated POX_1A and POX_1B). A POX_1B-based electrode showed great potential for monitoring hydrogen peroxide in biological samples. Chitosan was used as a matrix for enzyme immobilization. The enzyme activities were studied by photometry. Immobilization was accomplished by either inclusion in a thin film or adsorption to cross-linked microspheres. Two linkage agents were used: glutaraldehyde and glyoxal. The best immobilization and activity yields (82%, 95%) were obtained when POX_1B was incorporated within a chitosan/glyoxal film. The effect of temperature on the immobilized enzyme was tested. Results showed that full activity was retained after 40 min incubation at 40 °C. Anchored POX_1B inside chitosan was used for biosensor design. Cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy were employed to analyze electrochemical properties of the modified gold electrode and to monitor hydrogen peroxide. The biosensor was very sensitive and attained a detection limit of 100 nM.     

Combining molecular imprinted nanoparticles with surface plasmon resonance nanosensor for chloramphenicol detection in honey

The focus of this article is to develop a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) nanosensor to determine chloramphenicol (CAP) using the molecularly imprinted nanoparticles. The CAP imprinted nanoparticles were prepared by miniemulsion polymerization method. Then, the nanoparticles were attached onto the SPR nanosensor surface via temperature‐controlled evaporation. Surface characterization studies were performed with atomic force microscopy and contact angle measurements. Kinetic studies were performed with CAP solutions in the concentration range of 0.155–6.192 nM. Florphenicol (FLP) and thiamphenicol (TAP) having similar chemical structures to the template (i.e., CAP) were chosen as competitors to determine selectivity of the nanoparticles. Selectivity constants were observed as 8.86 for CAP/TAP and 8.36 for CAP/FLP. The detection limit was calculated as 40 ng/kg honey sample. In the light of these results, it was emphasized that the SPR nanosensor is able to recognize CAP selectively and has a potential for real‐time CAP detection in honey sample. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

The effect of mixed diluent on the porous structure of crosslinked PMMA beads

Summary In this work copolymer beads, based on MMA (methyl methacrylate) and EGDM (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate), were prepared by suspension polymerization. A mixed solvent, composed of two different solvents, namely toluene and cyclohexane, was used as the diluent in the polymerization medium. The porous structure of the beads was found to be affected by the solvent composition used to dissolve the monomers initially. It was observed that the porosity and pore size increased gradually with the increase of cyclohexane content of the solvent composition. It was also detected that the pore radii changed from 2–10 nm to 700–1000 nm as the cyclohexane content of the diluent changed from nil to 100 % (v/v) respectively. These results indicate that pore size of the copolymer beads is a function of solvent composition. Received: 10 January 1999/Revised version: 15 February 2000/Accepted: 1 March 2000