Characterization of an embedded RF-MEMS switch

An RF-MEMS capacitive switch for mm-wave integrated circuits, embedded in the BEOL of 0.25μm BiCMOS process, has been characterized. First, a mechanical model based on Finite-Element-Method (FEM) was developed by taking the residual stress of the thin film membrane into account. The pull-in voltage and the capacitance values obtained with the mechanical model agree very well with the measured values. Moreover, S-parameters were extracted using Electromagnetic (EM) solver. The data observed in this way also agree well with the experimental ones measured up to 110GHz. The developed RF model was applied to a transmit/receive (T/R) antenna switch design. The results proved the feasibility of using the FEM model in circuit simulations for the development of RF-MEMS switch embedded, single-chip multi-band RF ICs

Safety perspective for supporting architectural design of safety-critical systems

Various software architecture viewpoint approaches have been introduced to model the architecture views for stakeholder concerns. To address quality concerns in software architecture views, an important approach is to define architectural perspectives that include a collection of activities, tactics and guidelines that require consideration across a number of the architectural views. Several architectural perspectives have been defined for selected quality concerns. In this paper we propose the Safety Perspective that is dedicated to ensure that the safety concern is properly addressed in the architecture views. The proposed safety perspective can assist the system and software architects in designing, analyzing and communicating the decisions regarding safety concerns. We illustrate the safety perspective for a real industrial case study and discuss the lessons learned. © 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

Architecture framework for software safety

Currently, an increasing number of systems are controlled by soft- ware and rely on the correct operation of software. In this context, a safety- critical system is defined as a system in which malfunctioning software could result in death, injury or damage to environment. To mitigate these serious risks, the architecture of safety-critical systems needs to be carefully designed and analyzed. A common practice for modeling software architecture is the adoption of software architecture viewpoints to model the architecture for par- ticular stakeholders and concerns. Existing architecture viewpoints tend to be general purpose and do not explicitly focus on safety concerns in particular. To provide a complementary and dedicated support for designing safety critical systems, we propose an architecture framework for software safety. The archi- tecture framework is based on a metamodel that has been developed after a tho- rough domain analysis. The framework includes three coherent viewpoints, each of which addressing an important concern. The application of the view- points is illustrated for an industrial case of safety-critical avionics control computer system. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014

Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of some transition metal complexes of N-(5-chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methoxy-salicylaldimine

Cr(III), Fe(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) complexes of N-(5-chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methoxy-salicylaldimine (H2L), an ONO type tridentate ligand, were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic moment, molar conductivity, TGA, NMR, IR, UV-vis. and ESI-MS spectral techniques. All of the complexes except [Zn(L)(H2O)2] are paramagnetic. The CoCl2 gives a complex with 1:2 M:L ratio while the others form 1:1 non-ionic complexes with H2L. The ligand coordinated to the metal ions through the both OH oxygen and the azomethine nitrogen atoms acting tridentate behaviour. Octahedral geometry has been proposed for the Fe(II), Cr(III), Co(II), Ni(II) complexes considering the magnetic moment values and the electronic spectral data. The Zn(II) and Fe(III) complexes exhibit five coordination geometries and the Cu(II) complex is four-coordinated having acetato bridged dimeric structure. Antimicrobial activities of the compounds were determined against six bacteria and C. albicans as fungi. The Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes exhibit considerable selective activity on S. epidermidis and C. albicans whereas the ligand has no activity on the microorganisms. In addition, the Cr(III) complex shows antibacterial activity toward S. epidermidis and the Zn(II) complex has antifungal activity on C. albicans

Deep breathing couples CSF and venous flow dynamics

Venous system pathologies have increasingly been linked to clinically relevant disorders of CSF circulation whereas the exact coupling mechanisms still remain unknown. In this work, flow dynamics of both systems were studied using real-time phase-contrast flow MRI in 16 healthy subjects during normal and forced breathing. Flow evaluations in the aqueduct, at cervical level C3 and lumbar level L3 for both the CSF and venous fluid systems reveal temporal modulations by forced respiration. During normal breathing cardiac-related flow modulations prevailed, while forced breathing shifted the dominant frequency of both CSF and venous flow spectra towards the respiratory component and prompted a correlation between CSF and venous flow in the large vessels. The average of flow magnitude of CSF was increased during forced breathing at all spinal and intracranial positions. Venous flow in the large vessels of the upper body decreased and in the lower body increased during forced breathing. Deep respiration couples interdependent venous and brain fluid flow—most likely mediated by intrathoracic and intraabdominal pressure changes. Further insights into the driving forces of CSF and venous circulation and their correlation will facilitate our understanding how the venous system links to intracranial pressure regulation and of related forms of hydrocephalus

Measuring sustainable employability:psychometric properties of the capability set for work questionnaire

BACKGROUND: The capability set for work questionnaire (CSWQ) is being used to measure the new model of sustainable employability building on the capability approach. However, previous studies on the psychometric properties of the instrument are limited and cross-sectional. This two-way study aimed to (1) evaluate the convergent validity of the CSWQ with the theoretically related constructs person-job fit, strengths use, and opportunity to craft and (2) test the predictive and incremental validity of the questionnaire for the well-established work outcomes, including work ability, work engagement, job satisfaction, and task performance. METHODS: A representative sample of 303 Dutch workers, chosen with probably random sampling, were surveyed using a one-month follow-up, cross-lagged design via the Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social Sciences panel. The convergent validity was assessed by exploring the strength of associations between the capability set for work questionnaire and the theoretically related constructs using Pearson’s correlations. The predictive and incremental validity was evaluated by performing a series of linear hierarchical regression analyses. RESULTS: We found evidence of the convergent validity of the capability set score by moderate correlations with person-job fit, strengths use, and opportunity to craft (r = 0.51–0.52). A series of multiple regression analyses showed that Time 1 capability set score and its constituents (i.e., importance, ability, and enablement) generally had predictive and incremental validity for work ability, work engagement, job satisfaction, and task performance measured at Time 2. However, the incremental power of the CSWQ over and above conceptually related constructs was modest. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the convergent, predictive, and incremental validity of the capability set for work questionnaire with not previously investigated work constructs. This provided further evidence to support its utility for assessing a worker’s sustainable employability for future research and practical interventions

Flight-scheduling optimization and automation for AnadoluJet

AnadoluJet, a leading Turkish domestic airline carrier provides high-service, low-price flights to 28 locations within Turkey. Each winter and summer, AnadoluJet typically generates a new flight schedule. The company's primary scheduling concerns are aircraft fleet utilization and the waiting times of transfer passengers. Balancing the trade-off between these two criteria in a flight schedule is crucial for AnadoluJet's profitability. In this paper, we present the results of our study of AnadoluJet's flight-scheduling process. We provide a mathematical model that addresses this problem and then extend our studies and implement a heuristic algorithm for the development of a decision support system for the company. The objectives of the models we generated are to maximize fleet utilization, minimize waiting times for the majority of transfer passengers, and generate flight schedules subject to various constraints. The schedules that result from our models are superior to those that AnadoluJet's generated using its previous manual process. AnadoluJet currently uses our decision support system in its flight-scheduling process. © 2016 INFORMS

Compatibility Between Physical Stimulus Size – Spatial Position and False Recognitions

Magnitude processing is of great interest to researchers because it requires integration of quantity related information in memory regardless of whether the focus is numerical or non-numerical magnitudes. The previous work has suggested an interplay between pre-existing semantic information about number–space relationship in processes of encoding and recall. Investigation of the compatibility between physical stimulus size – spatial position and false recognition may provide valuable information about the cognitive representation of non-numerical magnitudes. Therefore, we applied a false memory procedure to a series of non-numerical stimulus pairs. Three versions of the pairs were used: big-right (a big character on the right/a small character on the left), big-left (a big character on the left/a small character on the right), and equal-sized (an equal sized character on each side). In the first phase, participants (N = 100) received 27 pairs, with nine pairs from each experimental condition. In the second phase, nine pairs from each of three stimulus categories were presented: (1) original pairs that were presented in the first phase, (2) mirrored pairs that were horizontally flipped versions of the pairs presented in the first phase, and (3) novel pairs that had not been presented before. The participants were instructed to press “YES” for the pairs that they remembered seeing before and to press “NO” for the pairs that they did not remember from the first phase. The results indicated that the participants made more false-alarm responses by responding “yes” to the pairs with the bigger one on the right. Moreover, they responded to the previously seen figures with the big one on the right faster compared to their distracting counterparts. The study provided evidence for the relationship between stimulus physical size and how they processed spatially by employing a false memory procedure. We offered a size–space compatibility account based on the congruency between the short- and long-term associations which produce local compatibilities. Accordingly, the compatible stimuli in the learning phase might be responsible for the interference, reflecting a possible short-term interference effect on congruency between the short- and long-term associations. Clearly, future research is required to test this speculative position