Emission Reduction Techniques for Printed Circuit Board

In this paper two prototypes of PCB have been used to measure the emission pattern from the board. Both boards have the same dimensions, material properties and connectors. In prototype PCB1(Good Board) have been created to improve the emission results and analyze the difference in results by following proper layout rules and incorporating various emission reduction techniques. However PCB2(Bad Board) proper layout techniques are not followed to analyze the radiation pattern and it has been created to violate the layout rules. The emissions from the two boards were then measured and compared demonstra -ting an improvement in radiated emissions and passing FCC Class B limits. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.16049

Kiosk Engine: A Platform Independent Solution For Multimedia Kiosks

In today\u27s fast paced life saving time is the first priority of every business organization and presenting information visually is a highly desirable and the easiest way to impressively communicate to people. For that purpose, there are interactive devices called kiosks, which display multimedia data on a display and are quite often attached to other input/output hardware like keyboard, mouse, printer, etc. Most of today\u27s kiosks are custom made and are designed for specific set of target platform. The task of creating a kiosk can turn out to be difficult and fairly time consuming. The aim of this thesis is to research an easier and faster way to develop kiosks and to generalize the processing power behind different kiosks by developing a driver program, which takes some form of input and multimedia data and presents the information as a kiosk. Putting it to reality, we developed a light-weight engine and called it Kiosk Engine, KE for short. KE is designed to take input in the form of an XML file which specifies the sources of multimedia data such as audio files, video files, text, image files and documents along with some attributes such as size, color, location, order and grouping with respect to other objects on the kiosk. As aimed, the processing power is separated from data and hence all that is required to be changed for making different kiosks is the multimedia data and the input XML file. Besides, platform independence is achieved by using Java™ as the programming language. Hence Kiosks driven by Kiosk Engine can run on any Java Virtual Machine [LindholmY03] that has the necessary framework support. The report shows comparison of KioskEngine with other products on the market, followed by a detailed explanation of XML file structure for KioskEngine and the Java™ classes in KioskEngine. The intent of this thesis is also to demonstrate the capability of Kiosk Engine by developing a working prototype, to research the future prospects of Kiosk Engine and explore additional functionalities that could be incorporated into Kiosk Engine with little extra work

Aftermath of pulmonary tuberculosis : computed tomography assessment

Purpose: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) has clinically significant sequelae, even after recommended treatment completion. It is important to recognise these sequelae for accurate assessment of severity and treatment planning, if indicated. Material and methods: We retrospectively analysed contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans of chest of 100 patients with previous history of treated pulmonary tuberculosis, excluding those with active pulmonary disease. CT findings were analysed based on parenchymal, airway, pleural, mediastinal, and vascular sequelae of PTB. Results: Parenchymal sequelae included fibrosis with architectural distortion and volume loss (90%), cavities (21%) (with aspergillomas noted in 19% of these cases), and tuberculomas (54%). Airway involvement was noted as bronchiectasis (77%) and bronchial stenosis (4%) but none with broncholithiasis. Mediastinal sequelae included lymph node calcification (74%), fibrosing mediastinitis (1%), and pericardial tuberculosis (2%). Pleural sequelae included pleural thickening (22%), with 40.9% of these patients showing calcifications, and one patient with chronic chylous pleural effusion. Vascular sequelae included Rasmussen aneurysms (4%), enlarged bronchial arteries (3%), and systemic bronchial collaterals in 1% of our patients. Conclusions: PTB has multiple appalling sequelae, which require due attention and appropriate treatment in symptomatic cases. Radiological evaluation forms an integral part in patient assessment and decision making

Mechanical and Tribological Aspects of Microelectronic Wire Bonding

The goal of this thesis is on improving the understanding of mechanical and tribological mechanisms in microelectronic wire bonding. In particular, it focusses on the development and application of quantitative models of ultrasonic (US) friction and interfacial wear in wire bonding. Another objective of the thesis is to develop a low-stress Cu ball bonding process that minimizes damage to the microchip. These are accomplished through experimental measurements of in situ US tangential force by piezoresistive microsensors integrated next to the bonding zone using standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The processes investigated are thermosonic (TS) Au ball bonding on Al pads (Au-Al process), TS Cu ball bonding on Al pads (Cu-Al process), and US Al wedge-wedge bonding on Al pads (Al-Al process). TS ball bonding processes are optimized with one Au and two Cu wire types, obtaining average shear strength (SS) of more than 120 MPa. Ball bonds made with Cu wire show at least 15% higher SS than those made with Au wire. However, 30% higher US force induced to the bonding pad is measured for the Cu process using the microsensor, which increases the risk of underpad damage. The US force can be reduced by: (i) using a Cu wire type that produces softer deformed ball results in a measured US force reduction of 5%; and (ii) reducing the US level to 0.9 times the conventionally optimized level, the US force can be reduced by 9%. It is shown that using a softer Cu deformed ball and a reduced US level reduces the extra stress observed with Cu wire compared to Au wire by 42%. To study the combined effect of bond force (BF) and US in Cu ball bonding, the US parameter is optimized for eight levels of BF. For ball bonds made with conventionally optimized BF and US settings, the SS is ≈ 140 MPa. The amount of Al pad splash extruding out of bonded ball interface (for conventionally optimized BF and US settings) is between 10–12 µm. It can be reduced to 3–7 µm if accepting a SS reduction to 50–70 MPa. For excessive US settings, elliptical shaped Cu bonded balls are observed, with the major axis perpendicular to the US direction. By using a lower value of BF combined with a reduced US level, the US force can be reduced by 30% while achieving an average SS of at least 120 MPa. These process settings also aid in reducing the amount of splash by 4.3 µm. The US force measurement is like a signature of the bond as it allows for detailed insight into the tribological mechanisms during the bonding process. The relative amount of the third harmonic of US force in the Cu-Al process is found to be five times smaller than in the Au-Al process. In contrast, in the Al-Al process, a large second harmonic content is observed, describing a non-symmetric deviation of the force signal waveform from the sinusoidal shape. This deviation might be due to the reduced geometrical symmetry of the wedge tool. The analysis of harmonics of the US force indicates that although slightly different from each other, stick-slip friction is an important mechanism in all these wire bonding variants. A friction power theory is used to derive the US friction power during Au-Al, Cu-Al, and Al-Al processes. Auxiliary measurements include the current delivered to the US transducer, the vibration amplitude of the bonding tool tip in free-air, and the US tangential force acting on the bonding pad. For bonds made with typical process parameters, several characteristic values used in the friction power model such as the ultrasonic compliance of the bonding system and the profile of the relative interfacial sliding amplitude are determined. The maximum interfacial friction power during Al-Al process is at least 11.5 mW (3.9 W/mm²), which is only about 4.8% of the total electrical power delivered to the US transducer. The total sliding friction energy delivered to the Al-Al wedge bond is 60.4 mJ (20.4 J/mm²). For the Au-Al and Cu-Al processes, the US friction power is derived with an improved, more accurate method to derive the US compliance. The method uses a multi-step bonding process. In the first two steps, the US current is set to levels that are low enough to prevent sliding. Sliding and bonding take place during the third step, when the current is ramped up to the optimum value. The US compliance values are derived from the first two steps. The average maximum interfacial friction power is 10.3 mW (10.8 W/mm²) and 16.9 mW (18.7 W/mm²) for the Au-Al and Cu-Al processes, respectively. The total sliding friction energy delivered to the bond is 48.5 mJ (50.3 J/mm²) and 49.4 mJ (54.8 J/mm²) for the Au-Al and Cu-Al processes, respectively. Finally, the sliding wear theory is used to derive the amount of interfacial wear during Au-Al and Cu-Al processes. The method uses the US force and the derived interfacial sliding amplitude as the main inputs. The estimated total average depth of interfacial wear in Au-Al and Cu-Al processes is 416 nm and 895 nm, respectively. However, the error of estimation of wear in both the Au-Al and the Cu-Al processes is ≈ 50%, making this method less accurate than the friction power and energy results. Given the error in the determination of compliance in the Al-Al process, the error in the estimation of wear in the Al-Al process might have been even larger; hence the wear results pertaining to the Al-Al process are not discussed in this study

ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS, CLINICAL PRESENTATIONS AND TREATMENT OUTCOME OF CERVICAL LYMPHADENOPATHY: AN OBSERVATIONAL DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Aim: To study various etiological factors, clinical presentations of cervical lymphadenopathy. To study the management and outcome of cervical lymphadenopathy Method: Proper clinical history was first noted, local and systemic examination was performed and a clinical diagnosis was made. Gender wise distribution, presenting symptoms, site distribution, and treatment outcome were noted. Result: Gender wise distribution of male and female was 52%, and 48%, commonest site of primary in cases of metastatic Secondaries was tongue followed by oesophagus and thyroid. After proper diagnosis confirmed by Histopathology (biopsy), treatment constituted properly- Cases of Tubercular Lymphadenitis (49 cases) were Started on Anti-tubercular treatment, all were showed improvement in symptoms. Cases of Reactive lymphadenitis (26 cases) started on antibiotics, all recovered well. Among 14 Cases of Metastatic secondaries, 5 cases were given Chemotherapy/Radiotherapy after expert oncologist opinion out of which 3 showed improved symptoms and 2 were expired, 6 cases were operated out of which 5 showed improved symptoms and 1 expired post operatively, 3 cases were referred to specialized oncological and oncosurgical center for further management. All 6 Lymphoma cases were started on chemotherapy after expert oncologist opinion showed improvement in symptoms. Conclusion: Commonest site of primary in cases of metastatic Secondaries was tongue followed by oesophagus and thyroid. Anti-tubercular treatment for tubercular lymphadenitis was highly satisfactory with improvement in almost all patients. Surgery was restricted as an adjuvant to chemotherapy, as diagnostic biopsy, for treatment of abscess/sinuses and for a lymph nodes that do not resolve with chemotherapy. Non-tuberculous non-neoplastic lesions can be best managed by conservatively. Keywords: Cervical lymphadenopathy; Clinical presentations; Treatment outcome

TUNING OF COMPONENT CHARACTERISTICS MAPS IN OFF DESIGN SIMULATION OF GAS TURBINES

A reliable simulation model is an essential component of health monitoring system for gas turbine engines. Hence a thermodynamic simulation model of a twin spool gas turbine engine is being developed for use in an engine health monitoring (EHM) system. This model is based on mass and energy conservation principles across each component of the gas turbine engine. The model is being developed with limited design point information and measured gas path parameters available from the test bed. Both on-design and off-design models are being developed in Matlab® programming environment. Component characteristics maps available in the open literature are being scaled and used in the off design simulation. The scaling parameters used in the maps are tuned to improve the agreement between simulation model and data collected from engine test bed. Both tuned and un-tuned results of the simulation along with their respective errors are presented. The scheme to incorporate the model in the physics based health monitoring module is also briefly presented. Conf Name: ISSS International Conference on Smart Materials, Structures and System

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in locally advanced prostate cancer: secondary analysis of radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG) 8610.

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis is a key element in solid-tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. VEGF is among the most potent angiogenic factor thus far detected. The aim of the present study is to explore the potential of VEGF (also known as VEGF-A) as a prognostic and predictive biomarker among men with locally advanced prostate cancer. METHODS: The analysis was performed using patients enrolled on RTOG 8610, a phase III randomized control trial of radiation therapy alone (Arm 1) versus short-term neoadjuvant and concurrent androgen deprivation and radiation therapy (Arm 2) in men with locally advanced prostate carcinoma. Tissue samples were obtained from the RTOG tissue repository. Hematoxylin and eosin slides were reviewed, and paraffin blocks were immunohistochemically stained for VEGF expression and graded by Intensity score (0-3). Cox or Fine and Gray\u27s proportional hazards models were used. RESULTS: Sufficient pathologic material was available from 103 (23%) of the 456 analyzable patients enrolled in the RTOG 8610 study. There were no statistically significant differences in the pre-treatment characteristics between the patient groups with and without VEGF intensity data. Median follow-up for all surviving patients with VEGF intensity data is 12.2 years. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated no statistically significant correlation between the intensity of VEGF expression and overall survival, distant metastasis, local progression, disease-free survival, or biochemical failure. VEGF expression was also not statistically significantly associated with any of the endpoints when analyzed by treatment arm. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed no statistically significant prognostic or predictive value of VEGF expression for locally advanced prostate cancer. This analysis is among one of the largest sample bases with long-term follow-up in a well-characterized patient population. There is an urgent need to establish multidisciplinary initiatives for coordinating further research in the area of human prostate cancer biomarkers

iTRAQ – An Integrated Traffic Management and Air Quality Control System Using Space Services

There is a strong need for local authorities to meet the challenges of sustainable transport as well as complying with air quality targets. iTRAQ - Integrated Traffic Management and Air Quality using Space Services is a European Space Agency funded project. During the course of a feasibility study a consortium of UK industry, academic and local authority partners developed and validated a dynamic system for optimising the use of the road network balanced with the need to sustain high standards of air quality. iTRAQ uses a number of inputs that enable it to sense the current situation in near-real-time and provide accurate forecasts using a computational intelligence module. Traffic flow, queues, and congestion are gathered using traditional ground-based sensors as well as Global Navigation Satellite Systems based vehicle data. Air quality information is obtained from in situ monitors, a City-wide Gaussian dispersion model (Airviro), a European-scale ensemble model (MACC), and direct measurements from low-earth orbit satellites (OMI and GOME-2). The concept has been tested and validated using near-real-time data and a simulation environment, providing enhanced strategies to the local authority. Following a successful feasibility study, a larger demonstration phase is now being planned and other local authorities are being encouraged to participate. This paper gives an overview of this novel system and presents some initial test results that confirm the feasibility of this integrated system, reducing the traffic delay, increasing the flow and optimising the local air quality levels