An object-oriented query evaluation scheme for logical databases inmassively parallel environment

Taking advantage of the structure of logical representations, we report an algorithm that evaluates conjunctive queries in a massively parallel environment under an object-based representation for deductive databases. By distributing objects in a database, we show that parallel evaluation of a query can be achieved in a cooperative way so that the conventional tuple-by-tuple, operation-by-operation evaluation strategy can be replaced by a global, parallel matching approach. With the proposed scheme, all conjuncts of a given query can be examined at the same time, which enables us to eliminate the need of any temporary relation. On the other hand, compared with the interpretive method, we show that any data dependency imposed by shared variables is no longer a major problem in achieving AND-parallelism by the proposed scheme     

The Synthesis of Sulfated Titanium Oxide Nanotubes

TiO₂ nanotubes can be prepared in gram quantities by treating anatase TiO₂ powder with concentrated NaOH solution. These TiO₂ nanotubes acquired strong acidity after being impregnated with sulfuric acid solution and calcined at 300 °C. The anatase TiO₂ powder used to prepare the nanotube did not catalyze the esterification between cyclohexanol and acetic acid, while sulfated TiO₂ nanotubes were very reactive toward the esterification reaction.     

A model for preventive maintenance operations and forecasting

Equipment costs constitute the greatest majority of overall costs for semiconductor manufacturing. Therefore, maintaining high equipment availability has been regarded as one of the major goals in the industry. The ability to forecast correctly equipment preventive maintenance (PM) timing requirements not only can help optimizing equipment uptime but also minimizing negative impacts on manufacturing production efficiency. This research used grey theory and evaluation diagnosis to construct a PM forecasting model for prediction of PM timing of various machines. The results showed significant improvements of PM timing predictions compared to the existing method based on experience and an alternative method proposed by Li and Chang (Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology Workshop 2002: 10–11, pp. 275–277) for the same fab cases. Received: June 2005 / Accepted: December 2005     

Effect of Thickness of the p-AlGaN Electron Blocking Layer on the Improvement of ESD Characteristics in GaN-Based LEDs

The following letter presents a study regarding GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with p-type AlGaN electron blocking layers (EBLs) of different thicknesses. The study revealed that the LEDs could endure higher electrostatic discharge (ESD) levels as the thickness of the AlGaN EBL increased. The observed improvement in the ESD endurance ability could be attributed to the fact that the thickened p-AlGaN EBL may partly fill the dislocation-related pits that occur on the surface of the InGaN-GaN multiple-quantum well (MQW) and that are due to the strain and the low-temperature-growth process. If these dislocation-related pits are not partly suppressed, they will eventually result in numerous surface pits associated with threading dislocations that intersect the InGaN-GaN (MQW), thereby reducing the ESD endurance ability. The results of the experiment show that the ESD endurance voltages could increase from 1500 to 6000 V when the thickness of the p-AlGaN EBL in the GaN LEDs is increased from 32.5 to 130 nm, while the forward voltages and light output powers remained almost the same.     

Directly Compressible Acetaminophen Compositions Prepared by Fluidized-Bed Granulation

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in aqueous solution was used as a binding agent in a fluidized-bed system to agglomerate acetaminophen powder into directly compressible granules. It was found that a minimal amount of 5% w/w PVP in a concentration of 7.5% w/v or less was needed to produce granules with an acceptable flow and the corresponding tablets having enough hardness without capping. There was a strong correlation between the time for 80% dissolved (T₈₀) and the logarithm of granule volume-surface mean diameter. A directly compressible acetaminophen composition to manufacture tablets having a T₈₀ value less than 30 min can be prepared simply by adding an appropriate amount of disintegrant (crospovidone, sodium starch glycolate, or pregelatinized starch) to the agglomerated granules.     

On the hollowness ratio effect on the dynamics of a spinning Rayleigh beam

The analytical solutions of a spinning Rayleigh beam with rotatory moment inertia and gyroscopic effect are presented in this paper. The critical speeds can be written analytically in a function of the length-to-radius ratio (l) defined by the beam's length over its outer radius and the hollowness ratio (α) defined by the hollow area over the total area of the cross section. The sensitivity analyses show that the critical speed is decreasing with l, but increasing with α. Moreover, α is more sensitive to the critical speeds. The design of a spinning beam should therefore be emphasized more on the hollowness factor. Contrary to common belief, only finite critical speeds exist and the number is independent of the boundary conditions. It increases monotonically with l, but decreases with α. The steady state unbalanced response can therefore be expressed analytically by the finite precessional modes and the corresponding generalized coordinates.     

Testing multi-characteristic product capability indices

Recently, studies associated with testing the quality and performance of each process for a product with multi-characteristics are proposed more often. However, most studies are limited to discussing one single type of quality characteristic. Practically, a multi-characteristic product is potentially composed of three types: smaller-the-better, larger-the-better, and nominal-the-best. In this paper, we propose an integrated product capability index which considers these three different types of quality characteristics. According to the theory of testing hypothesis, we develop a testing procedure for the product capability index to judge whether the process capabilities of total quality characteristics meet the customers’ demands. In addition, the relationship between the product capability index and the yield of the entire product will be introduced. Finally, an example is provided as a practical application.     

A coordinated reverse logistics system for regional management of multi-source hazardous wastes

This paper presents a coordinated reverse logistics (CRL) management system for the treatment of multi-source hazardous wastes in a given region, in this case, a specific high-technology manufacturing zone. A linear multi-objective analytical model is formulated that systematically minimizes both the total reverse logistics operating costs and corresponding risks. In addition to inter-organizational logistics operating factors, environmental concerns are considered and formulated as corresponding risk-related constraints. Using the proposed model, results of numerical studies indicate that when the aspect of risk-induced penalties is not considered, the operational costs of regional hazardous-waste management can be efficiently reduced by 58%, compared to the existing operational costs at the study site. In addition, it is also observed that the corresponding weight associated with the risk-induced objective function embedded in the proposed model seems to have a significant effect on the CRL costs.     

A Unified Approach to Submicron DC MOS Transistor Modeling for Low-Voltage ICs

A unified single-equation approach for the MOS transistordrain current modeling for energy-efficient submicron MOS circuitsis presented. Instead of three sets of separate equations forthe triode, saturation, and weak inversion regions, only a continuousexpression which is valid to describe the behavior of drain currentand the derivatives in all operation regions can be realizedby using a combination of hyperbola, sigmoid, and interpolationmethods. The model expression can predict accurate results forthe current, output conductance, and transconductance with continuousand smooth characteristics. The simulation results agree wellwith experimental data.