Specification guidelines for hybrid microcircuits

Guidelines establishing manufacturing and control procedures for hybrid microcircuits used in aerospace programs may have possible commercial and industrial applications. Guidelines encompass parts, materials, and process controls, as well as assembly, packaging methods, screening, and inspection procedures for procurement of custom packaged, high reliability microcircuits

Book Reviews

We develop a first-principles approach based on many-body perturbation theory to investigate the effects of the interaction between electrons and carrier plasmons on the electronic properties of highly doped semiconductors and oxides. Through the evaluation of the electron self-energy, we account simultaneously for electron-plasmon and electron-phonon coupling in theoretical calculations of angle-resolved photoemission spectra, electron linewidths, and relaxation times. We apply this methodology to electron-doped anatase TiO2 as an illustrative example. The simulated spectra indicate that electron-plasmon coupling in TiO2 underpins the formation of satellites at energies comparable to those of polaronic spectral features. At variance with phonons, however, the energy of plasmons and their spectral fingerprints depends strongly on the carrier concentration, revealing a complex interplay between plasmon and phonon satellites. The electron-plasmon interaction accounts for approximately 40% of the total electron-boson interaction strength, and it is key to improve the agreement with measured quasiparticle spectra

Effectiveness of entomopathogenic nematodes in the control of Cydia pomonella larvae in Northern Italy

Since 2006, a large scale research on the effectiveness of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) in the control of codling moth (CM), Cydia pomonella, overwintering larvae has been performed on about 35 ha of pear orchards per year in Emilia-Romagna, Northern Italy. Steinernema carpocapsae and Steinernema feltiae activity was checked after spray applications of EPNs to the trunk and branches. In 2006, the treatment was applied either in spring or in autumn at different doses, before CM pupation; in 2007 the EPN treatment was applied only in autumn at 1.5 x 109 I.J. ha –1. Every year it was distributed by means of a conventional mist blower. The larval mortality was assessed directly on sentinel larvae in card boards on the trunks and indirectly on the eggs laid by the females of the first CM generation in spring. Moreover, each year, a trial was performed applying only S. carpocapsae on sentinel larvae with the aim of testing this nematode at suitable temperatures but at different water volumes. The CM sentinel larvae were effectively parasitized after autumnal EPN application. Moreover, the egg assessment demonstrated a good decrease in CM population in spring 2007, when EPNs had been applied at the best weather conditions (t° 12-14 °C and rain) in the previous autumn

Investigation of discrete component chip mounting technology for hybrid microelectronic circuits

The use of polymer adhesives for high reliability microcircuit applications is a radical deviation from past practices in electronic packaging. Bonding studies were performed using two gold-filled conductive adhesives, 10/90 tin/lead solder and Indalloy no. 7 solder. Various types of discrete components were mounted on ceramic substrates using both thick-film and thin-film metallization. Electrical and mechanical testing were performed on the samples before and after environmental exposure to MIL-STD-883 screening tests

Development of a container for handling, testing, and storing discrete microelectronic components

A container has been developed for handling, testing, burning-in, and storing discrete microelectronic components without removal from the protective package. The package was designed to accommodate the leadless inverted device and other carrier-mounted active devices and chip-type discrete resistors and capacitors. Before the indicated development, components were handled and tested in various ways, some of which resulted in damage or contamination. The basic design of the container utilizes precision machined printed circuit boards and chemically milled (photoetched) contact springs. Included in this design for protection is an O-ring-sealed cover. Methods of fabrication and limitations of the current hardware are presented. Current applications of and possible extensions to the technology are discussed

Low-perigee aerodynamic heating during orbital flight of an atmosphere Explorer

An extensive, low-perigee orbital aerodynamic heating study was undertaken in support of the Atmosphere Explorer-C Temperature Alarm. State of the art of low-density, high-speed flows, some models of the earth's atmosphere, external flow-field definition, thermodynamic and transport properties of atmospheric gases, the accommodation coefficient orbital thermal environment, and correlation of theory and measurements are discussed. Aerodynamic heating rates are determined for eight selected orbits by means of a reduced, analytical model verified by both ground test and flight data. These heating rates are compared with classical free-molecule and first-order collision regime values

Perturbational approach to the quantum capacity of additive Gaussian quantum channel

For a quantum channel with additive Gaussian quantum noise, at the large input energy side, we prove that the one shot capacity is achieved by the thermal noise state for all Gaussian state inputs, it is also true for non-Gaussian input in the sense of first order perturbation. For a general case of $n$ copies input, we show that up to first order perturbation, any non-Gaussian perturbation to the product thermal state input has a less quantum information transmission rate when the input energy tend to infinitive.Comment: 5 page

Analysis of debris from Spacelab Space Life Sciences-1

Airborne microbiological and particulate contamination generated aboard Spacelab modules is a potential safety hazard. In order to shed light on the characteristics of these contaminants, microbial and chemical/particulate analyses were performed on debris vacuumed from cabin and avionics air filters in the Space Life Sciences-1 (SLS-1) module of the Space Transportation System 40 (STS-40) mission 1 month after landing. The debris was sorted into categories (e.g., metal, nonmetal, hair/fur, synthetic fibers, food particles, insect fragments, etc.). Elemental analysis of particles was done by energy dispersive analysis of x rays (metals) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (nonmetals). Scanning electron micrographs were done of most particles. Microbiological samples were grown on R2A culture medium and identified. Clothing fibers dominated the debris by volume. Other particles, all attributed to the crew, resulted from abrasions and impacts during missions operations (e.g., paint chips, plastic, electronic scraps and clothing fibers). All bacterial species identified are commonly found in the atmosphere or on the human body. Bacillus sp. was the most frequently seen bacterium. One of the bacterial species, Enterobacter agglomerans, could cause illness in crew members with depressed immune systems

Avoiding the Debilitating Effects of Compassion Fatigue

Many clergy experience a debilitating stress condition called compassion fatigue (CF). Church leaders leave ministry for many reasons such as moral failure, financial stresses, marital problems, burnout, and CF. CF is not easily recognized, but its effects on ministry leaders are very visible. Preventive measures include observing the Sabbath observance, reliance on the Holy Spirit and other self-care techniques. This projects thesis is that CF can be avoided through Sabbath observance reliance on the Holy Spirit and proper self-care practices. Church leaders are vulnerable to CF in their care-giving role. They should understand the signs and symptoms of CF and develop a pattern of healthy Sabbath rest and self-care practices. The application of these disciplines will help prevent CF and improve health, strength, and longevity in ministry and family life. This project will include a book about CF and how CF affects church leadership. The author chose a book format to reach the largest audience of church leaders through a familiar, practical, and easily implemented medium. This book can be used in workshops, seminars, and undergraduate and seminary classes, and the audience for the book is students in Bible colleges and seminaries, novices starting out in ministry, seasoned clergy, missionaries, and counselors. This book provides a balanced prescription for life and ministry and includes reading lists and websites for further study

Generalized minimal output entropy conjecture for one-mode Gaussian channels: definitions and some exact results

A formulation of the generalized minimal output entropy conjecture for Gaussian channels is presented. It asserts that, for states with fixed input entropy, the minimal value of the output entropy of the channel (i.e. the minimal output entropy increment for fixed input entropy) is achieved by Gaussian states. In the case of centered channels (i.e. channels which do not add squeezing to the input state) this implies that the minimum is obtained by thermal (Gibbs) inputs. The conjecture is proved to be valid in some special cases.Comment: 7 pages, updated version minor typos correcte