bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bureaucratization of non‐governmental organizations: An analysis of employees' perceptions and attitudes
Authors: Narayana E. A.
Published: July 2007

The key concern of the following article is to measure empirically the extent to which nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are bureaucratized. The perceptions of the employees of the NGOs were elicited about the characteristics of bureaucracy. Interval scale data on respondent perceptions were analysed through step‐wide regression. The statistical analysis does not reveal any specific directionality. Instead, it shows a complicated set of relationships between each of eight characteristics of bureaucracy (dependent variables) on the one hand and the multitude of independent variables on the other. It can be inferred from the data and regression results that the bureaucratic characteristics of NGOs have not crystallized, as in the case of many governmental organizations. Only some postulates of bureaucratic theory, as propounded by Max Weber, are prevalent in the NGOs.
The emergence of two‐tier welfare in Africa: Marginalization or an opportunity for reform?
Authors: Duffield Mark
Published: July 2007

The emergence of two‐tier welfare in Africa has been defined by two interconnected developments. Firstly, a growing understanding that ‘African famine’ is a complex and deep‐seated problem, a problem which, in many cases, combines political, environmental‐economic and conflict factors. Secondly, in response to this situation a world historic internationalization of public welfare has occurred. Whilst some of the financial aspects of this intervention, in the shape of World Bank, International Monetary Fund and bilateral programmes, have received attention, the simultaneous spread of donor/non‐government organization relief‐based safety nets has been relatively neglected. During the 1990s, however, policy debate will increasingly centre upon the adequacy or appropriateness of the latter in relation to the modalities of the African crisis. This paper, by first sketching the nature of this crisis, seeks to contribute to this debate by drawing attention to the contradictions and limitations within the emerging safety net system.
Small‐scale administration in St Martin: Two governments of one people
Authors: Kersell John E. , Brookson Albert , Duzanson Louis L. , Groeneveldt R. A. , Arts Xander
Published: July 2007

Divided between France and Holland since 1648, the small island community of St Martin has grown and prospered in recent decades largely because of tourism. France which incorporates its part, Saint Martin, as a municipality in the Department of Guadeloupe has been generous with public funds and tax concessions to those who invest in the dependency. The Kingdom of the Netherlands, the governments of its constituent parts (Holland and the Netherlands Antilles), has been more generous with authority than with money. So Dutch Sint Maarten has enjoyed much greater political and administrative autonomy than its northern neighbour, but it has to depend on investment from private interests, American and European. Indeed, it has lacked sufficient public capital even for infrastructure and social services, including education. The governments of both sides have neglected joint planning and other coordinated efforts to develop the island. The Dutch side has been committed to laissez‐faire private enterprise and so personnel development in the public service has been minimal. This has disposed the government of the French side to limit joint ventures with the Dutch government. The population is large enough and the revenues are high enough to provide adequate numbers of public officials, but tourism has attracted, in the 1970s and 80s, many of the more able and ambitious. These considerations set the two sides of St Martin apart from other West Indian micro‐states, most of which have not experienced as much success in developing and maintaining tourism. St Martin is unique in another way. It is different from other English‐speaking islands because of its French and Dutch institutions. It is quite different from other French and Dutch islands (Saba and St Eustatius excepted) because of the English language and other cultural influences.
The private provision of capital for public housing development: A cost—benefit study of the Seoul housing project
Authors: Shin Roy W.
Published: July 2007

This study analyses the programme impact of a strategic decision to privatize public housing development. It provides theoretical insights and assesses the ‘filtering’ (trickle down) theory of housing development underpinning this strategy. Analysis of distributional effects ensuing from the project demonstrates that developmental benefits (additional supply of housing) have simply filled the demand of those who can cater to the forces of the marketplace. Furthermore, macroeconomic determinants, acute shortages and distributional problems in the housing market that typically characterize urban centres in developing countries counteract that filtering process. The consequences of this privatization strategy point to potential costs and benefits of future policy options.
Management training for women—what the west forgot?
Authors: Amos‐Wilson Pauline
Published: July 2007

Drawing on experience of providing women for senior management programmes in developing countries and in the UK, this article considers the issues associated with management training for women. In particular, it discusses the approaches currently adopted in the west, the attitudes that inform these and their shortcomings. It describes the outcomes achieved through an approach to training designed and implemented with women from developing countries, which is somewhat different to experience in the west. It goes on to suggest that at a time when developing countries are importing management training at an increasing rate from the west, measured critique should be applied to assessing the efficacy of programmes, not in respect of their appropriateness in a development context, but on a basis of whether they are effective in their place of origin. Moreover, it is argued that, in fact, the west has much to learn for its own applications from developing countries.
Trainees, trainers and the training of trainers: Reform of local administration in Russia
Authors: Gubbay Jon
Published: July 2007

Power at the centre of the Russian state is divided, weak and lacking in legitimacy although management in the regions, while formally bureaucratic, also depends for its effectiveness on relationships of patronage and exchange of favours. In these circumstances, the design and implementation of a reform programme for the civil service is a brave endeavour, and one which is likely to be protracted and punctuated by setbacks. Paradoxically, although there is acknowledged to be a great need for training and retraining, there are also large obstacles to applying the new knowledge and skills. This predicament is compounded by deficiencies in the provision for training. These inauspicious conclusions have implications for strategies of technical assistance and, in particular, the danger that such initiatives unintentionally become part of the problem rather than its solution. The article draws upon three visits by the author to Western Siberia as part of two EU TACIS projects.
Rebuilding Ukraine's hollow State: Developing a democratic public service in Ukraine
Authors: Hague Judy , Rose Aidan , Bojcun Marko
Published: July 2007

This article describes assistance that is being provided as part of an institution building project with a view to making a lasting impact on the development of a democratic public service of Ukraine. It explains the nature of the project and the strategies adopted to overcome difficulties. It compares and contrasts approaches adopted by technical assistance projects in assisting administrative reform. It also examines the special nature of the Ukraine project that arises out of the distinctive context and needs of Ukraine. The article continues by examining the role of external assistance in validating the Ukrainian Institute of Public Administration and Local Government's Masters in Public Administration and the contribution made to the development and delivery of the Masters programme. A special feature of the project is the series of one‐month internships when IPALG students visit London. The internship programme allows students to identify aspects of UK experience relevant to changes that Ukraine wishes to make in its administrative culture. As part of this programme, students are placed in government organizations and NGOs. The placements are complemented by a series of change management seminars that enable students to evaluate options for change, to assess their own role in the change process and recognize the key stages in the change process. The project team has undertaken a full evaluation of the first presentation of the programme and the article presents the findings.
From general training to projeetization: Implications for learning processes and the roles of trainers
Authors: Taylor Harry
Published: July 2007

A large component of development aid in the past has been in the form of scholarships for officials and managers to attend short and long training programmes in the west. However, it has increasingly been felt that the impact of such programmes is limited, and hence the donor community is placing increased emphasis on ‘projectized’ training programmes, i.e. training that is geared to specific development projects in a particular country. This shift has implications for the nature of the training, the learning processes involved and the roles of trainers. This article explores these issues, firstly reviewing the debate between ‘open’ and ‘projectized’ training, and then going on to report on a case study involving a ‘projectized’ learning event run for the Nigerian Civil Service as part of its Civil Service reform programme. The case study explores the main differences between ‘open’ and ‘projectized’ training, demonstrates some of the potential problems with ‘projectized’ learning and, where appropriate, suggests solutions and offers a number of practical suggestions for trainers to consider for operating in an increasingly ‘projectized’ training scene.
Über verzögerte Elektronen in Elektronenlawinen, insbesondere in Sauerstoff und Luft, durch Bildung und Zerfall negativer Ionen (O−)
Authors: Frommhold L.
Published: July 2007

The paper demonstrates that negative ions formed by electrons drifting through a gas may commonly not be considered as being stable, but electron detachment must be taken into account. This is concluded investigating electron current pulses of avalanches which exhibit strong currents of „delayed”︁ (i.e. detached) electrons in oxygen and air, but not in hydrogen, nitrogen and certain other electropositive gases. It is shown that this assumption allows to explain the observed current pulse shapes. An attachment coefficient η as function of E/p (= ratio of fieldstrength to pressure) is determined which arises from the dissociative attachment process, e + O2 → O− + O. A detachment frequency 1/τ versus E/p is obtained which arsies from de‐ionizing collisions of the same ion O−, which has been sufficiently energized by the electric field, O− + O2 → e + O + O2, thus completing the evidence for the above conclusion. (In air a N2 molecule may act as well as O2 as colliding particle.)

In addition, values of the electron ionization coefficient α/p and of the electron drift velocity v− are determined in oxygen (35 < E/p < 120 Volt/cm · Torr) and air (35 < E/p < 80). – The “electrical method” has been used. The initial photo electron pulse was released by the light of a high intensity spark of 5 · 10−9 s radiation pulse duration; the luminous tail has been suppressed by a Kerr cell shutter.

In the first section of the following paper the theoretical analysis is given in a generalized form and a number of electron delaying processes are discussed, such as the Penning and Hornbeck effects and auto‐deionization of negative ions. The second section describes the experiments and the interpretation of the results. In the third section an attempt is made to discuss the observations of other authors on the subject with respect to electron detaching collisions. The present results are significant for explaining some discrepancies in the determination of electron attachment coefficients in oxygen and air, in which de‐ionization has hitherto not been taken in account.
Dispersion Theory of Low Energy Scattering
Authors: Serebryakov V. V. , Shirkov D. V.
Published: July 2007

This review is based largely on the lectures delivered at the Dubna International Winter School of Theoretical Physics on March, 1964.

Chapter 1 being of introductory nature also contains some materials on kinematics, isotopic structure and unitarity of the ππ‐scattering. Chapter 2 covers the original papers by Chew and Mandelstam which have, in fact, given rise to the systematic theoretical studies in this field. Chapter 3 covers the works of theoretists of Dubna and Novosibirsk which led to the consistent approach to the theory of strong interactions at low energies. Chapter 4 contains comparisions with experiment. In writing this chapter the authors used the materials of the 12th International Conference on High Energy Physics (Dubna, August, 1964).
On the Connections between the Non‐linearity of Equations of Motion in Quantum Theory, Asymptotic Behavior and Renormalization
Authors: Aks Stanley Ø.
Published: July 2007

It is shown that the ordinary perturbation expressions used in quantum mechanics lead to the wrong asymptotic behavior of the Heisenberg observables as function of time. This difficulty is traced to the non‐linearity of the Heisenberg equations of motion and is studied in the context of a one‐dimensional non‐linear oscillator problem. It is found that the correct asymptotic behavior can be obtained by a process of renormalization analogous to renormalization theory in quantum field theory. It turns out that the renormalized parameters analogous to mass and wave‐function renormalization are not c‐numbers but are instead q‐numbers. It is suggested that the renormalization parameters of quantum field theory are also q‐numbers.
Algebra of Currents
Authors: Maiani L. , Preparata G.
Published: July 2007

This is a review paper on the most important results obtained from the Algebra of Currents introduced by Gell‐Mann. It includes a detailed discussion on the derivation of sum rules (Adler‐Weisberger, Cabibbo‐Radicati, etc.), either with the p → ∞ method and with the covariant method. Theorems for the emission of zero energy pions are discussed, and applied to leptonic and non leptonic decays of K mesons, and to the 3π decay of the η meson. More recent developments of current algebra like the gauge fields current algebra, the Weinberg sum rules, and the applications of the Bjorken's method to weak and e.m. interactions are also discussed.
Partial Wave Crossing Relations for Meson‐Baryon Scattering
Authors: Steiner F.
Published: July 2007

Three different types of relations for meson‐baryon partial wave amplitudes following from the s ↔ u crossing symmetry of the invariant amplitudes are investigated: i) the partial wave crossing relations directly derived from the s ↔ u crossing symmetry and the partial wave projection, ii) the partial wave crossing relations following from a combined use of s ↔ u crossing symmetry and analyticity, and iii) the crossing sum rules, which are a direct consequence of the s ↔ u crossing symmetry.

The kernels entering the crossing relations i) and ii) are given in an analytic form, valid for arbitrary angular momentum. Their properties are studied in detail. By means of the partial wave crossing relations ii) it is demonstrated that u‐channel exchange of a resonance leads to a resonance‐like behaviour of the partial wave amplitudes on the crossed physical cut. This phenomenon is described in terms of “pseudoresonances”. Finally the crossing sum rules iii) and their practical use are thoroughly discussed, and they are compared with the partial wave crossing relations i) and ii).

Special attention is paid to the crossing symmetry constraints on the S‐wave amplitudes. As a result of these investigations we present a crossing symmetric ansatz for these amplitudes which gives a more reliable parametrization than the usual effective range approximation.
Diffractional Nuclear Processes Involving Composite Particles
Authors: Sitenko A. G.
Published: July 2007

The diffractional picture of nuclear processes at high energies involving composite particles is given. The solution of the Lippmann‐Schwinger equation for the problem on scattering in the scattering center systems is considered in the high‐energy approximation. The general formulas for the cross section of different diffractional processes with particle transmission are obtained. The effects of multiple scattering and their mutual compensation are discussed. The applicability conditions of the diffractional approach are discussed. The diffractional processes during the interaction of high‐energy deuterons with nuclei are considered in detail. Without the assumption of deuteron size smallness compared to nuclear size, the cross sections of different diffractional processes are calculated with nuclear boundary diffusion taken into account. The nonmonotonic dependence of the diffractional disintegration cross section for deuterons on the mass number is shown due to the influence of nuclear boundary diffusion. The role of the diffractional and the Coulomb mechanisms of interaction depending on the nuclear mass number is discussed. The calculated dependences are compared with experimental data. The interference during the multiple scattering and its relationship with the diffractional structure of the angular scattering during the scattering on the composite systems are considered. The comparison the between diffractional approximation and different variations of the impulse approximation is made.
Variational Matrix Padé Approximants in Two Body Scattering
Authors: Turchetti G.
Published: July 2007

The convergence and bounding properties of the variational matrix Padé approximants are investigated for non relativistic two body interactions.

Selecting L – 1 discrete values qi, i = 1, …, L – 1 and the physical momentum q0 the off shell scattering amplitudes are L X L matrices.

The [N/N] Padé approximants to the Born series of these matrices are the variational solution of the Schwinger principle and the corresponding physical amplitude has variational properties in the off shell momenta. For positive interactions the best approximants to the phase shift is an absolute minimum on the qi and monotonic convergence to the exact result for N → ∞ or L → ∞ ca be proved.

Similar properties are shown for the bound states using the Ritz variational principle.

The required mathematical background is extensively worked out, the extensions to non positive, singular and long range potentials are considered and some numerical examples are presented.
On the Quantization of Hydrodynamics
Authors: Kupsch J. , Rühl W.
Published: July 2007

Quantization of hydrodynamics can be attempted by representation theory of the canonical field algebra or of an observable algebra. The canonical formalism of classical hydrodynamics is presented. It uses four scalar potentials and a four parameter non‐compact gauge Lie group. It is proved that any representation of the canonical field algebra of irrotational hydrodynamics is incompatible with the positivity of the mass density. The observable algebra of mass and current densities generates the flow group which possesses unitary irreducible representations that are compatible with positivity of the mass density. A method is described based on the additional assumption of mass conservation and time reversal invariance, that allows to derive a Hamiltonian from the representation. As illustrative example the method is applied to a canonical quantized model. No known representation of the flow group, however, can be interpreted as a hydrodynamic system.
Do ‘Quark‐Stars’ Exist?
Authors: Bhattacharjee P.
Published: July 2007

Possible existence of quark‐matter in dense neutron‐stars is discussed using Quantum Chromodynamical equation of state for cold degenerate quark‐matter.
Failure mode and effects analysis in the U.K. motor industry: A state‐of‐the‐art study
Authors: Dale B. G. , Shaw P.
Published: July 2007

This paper reports the main findings of a questionnaire survey on the use of failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) in the United Kingdom motor industry. Survey data were obtained from 78 organizations. Among the main findings are: the majority of suppliers only started to use FMEA because it was a contractual requirement of their customer; however, a number of them are now seeking to make more use of the technique to facilitate their process of quality improvement; FMEA is treated by the majority of organizations as a team activity; engineers still view FMEA as a hard slog; more use should be made of computerized aids to reduce the effort in preparing and updating the FMEA; and the main difficulties encountered in the use of FMEA are related to time constraints, poor organizational understanding of the importance of FMEA, inadequate training and lack of management commitment. It is also pointed out that organizations are not satisfied with the current training courses on FMEA.
Microelectronic reliability/temperature independence
Authors: Hakim Edward B.
Published: July 2007

It is shown that microelectronic failures which occur within equipment operating temperature extremes are not dependent on absolute temperature! Therefore, tremendous equipment reductions can be made in size, weight and cost, and there will be an improvement in reliability by elimination of failures due to unreliable complex cooling systems.
Investigation and characterization of a control scheme for multivariate quality control
Authors: Chua Meng‐Koon , Montgomery Douglas C.
Published: July 2007

A new scheme for multivariate statistical quality control is investigated and characterized. The control scheme consists of three steps and it will identify any out‐of‐control samples, select the subset of variables that are out of control, and diagnose the out‐of‐control variables. A new control variable selection algorithm, the backward selection algorithm, and a new control variable diagnosis method, the hyperplane methods, are proposed. It is shown by simulation that the control scheme is useful in cases where the process variables are correlated and where they are uncorrelated.
Fault and cause diagnosis of casting defects: A case study
Authors: Sweeting F. B. J. , Thorpe W. R. , Pettitt A. N.
Published: July 2007

The product selected for detailed study was a cored grey iron disc, cast in a five cavity mould, subject to rejection at a highly variable rate. The behaviour of process variables in the sub‐systems of green sand, core making, metal pouring and metallurgical composition was analysed to detect any statistically significant correlations with the incidence of blisters, which was the predominant cause of rejection.

To supplement the recorded data and to separate causal factors from correlations, a series of direct experimental trials was conducted to trace a faulty casting to the cavity, mould box, pouring conditions, green sand, cores and metallurgical composition pertaining at the time of actual production.

From a progressively accumulated database of some 100 hours of the specific product runs, built up over several months, the production variables and responses were analysed using regression, ANOVA, correlation and factorial experimentation techniques. Three major interventions involving a change in bentonite supply and two modifications to the runner system were accompanied by a reduction of some 60 per cent in the mean level of blister rejects with an improved dispersion.
Failures in thin metal film resistors—A case history
Authors: Cain J. F. , Hart L. , McLean J. R.
Published: July 2007

This paper presents a case study that was initaated by excessive monitor failures occurring during a simulated early‐life test. Statistical analysis of the failure data suggested that there should be no longterm resistor failure problem. Large increases in resistance of some metal film resistors led to many of the monitor failures. Corrosion of the resistive film by residual chlorine for a particular resistor vendor's cleaning process was responsible. The results led to process changes to reduce the contamination and the reliability testing of the ‘new’ product revealed that the process changes were successful. A statistical designed experiment indicated that the ‘old’ resistors were not all degraded in the same manner. As a result of this experiment, the failures were attributed to poor process controls.
Reliability improvement via taguchi's robust design
Authors: Hamada Michael
Published: July 2007

Taguchi's robust design strategy, whose aim is to make processes and products insensitive to factors which are hard or impossible to control (termed noise factors), is an important paradigm for improving products and processes. We present an overview of the strategy and tactics for robust design and demonstrate its usefulness for reliability improvement. Two important components of robust design are a criterion for assessing the effect of the noise factors and experimentation according to specialized experimental plans. Recent criticism of Taguchi's criterion and his analysis of its estimates has led to an alternative approach of modelling the response directly. We give additional reasons for using this response‐model approach in the context of reliability improvement. Using the model for the response, appropriate criteria for assessing the effect of the noise factors can then be evaluated. We consider an actual experiment and reanalyse its data to illustrate these ideas and method.
A new approach to statistically modelling the time dependent oxide breakdown
Authors: Vollertsen R.‐P.
Published: July 2007

For dielectric lifetime predictions, both, the characteristic lifetime of the distribution and its slope are important. Taking this into account, it is pointed out that the intrinsic breakdown time (a constant of the 1/E model) depends on the degradation behaviour of the weak spot under stress, which is represented by the failure percentage. A modified 1/E model is proposed. It considers the observed change of the slope of lifetime distributions taken at different electric fields. The modified model is in good accordance with available data. Furthermore, it includes the behaviour of the slope as predicted by the E and the 1/E models as special cases.
Reliability issues of offset drain transistors after different modes of electrical stress
Authors: Papadas C. , Mortini P. , Monsérié C. , Ghibaudo G. , Pananakakis G.
Published: July 2007

The reliability issues of offset drain transistors (ODTs) after different modes of static electrical stress (high voltage uniform gate stress, high voltage drain stress and hot carrier stress) are presented. Besides, the evolution of the macroscopic electrical parameters of these devices after high voltage uniform gate stress are attributed quantitatively to the evolution of the bulk gate oxide trapping characteristics and the variation of the Si/SiO2 interface state charge.
A general approach for testing the process capability index
Authors: Hoffman Lorrie L.
Published: July 2007

This paper presents a generalized approach to the problem of testing with the process capability index Cĉp. It allows for testing at any α‐level and any sample size. For small sample sizes n < 30, n odd, tables are included with αs incremented by 0.025, which are generated by a computer program. This program is written in BASIC and appears in an Appendix. For different α levels (say α = 0·1) the program can be used to generate the appropriate value to use in determining the critical values. For larger sample sizes an approximation method is supplied. Additionally, the method to derive an associated operating characteristic curve is examined.
Consideration of maintenance objectives in the design and development of software
Authors: Keene Karen C. , Keene Samuel J.
Published: July 2007

Factors are addressed that affect the total cost of developing, deploying and supporting software systems. The experiences are drawn from a large computerized facility incorporating over half a million lines of application code. The operational and support activities dominate the cost considerations over program life.

Techniques are presented in this paper to ensure early design considerations of these operational and support activities and to reduce their cost. Thus, the focus is the life cycle cost factors of the system software.
Hardware reliability assurance and field experience in a telecom environment
Authors: Hallberg Ö. , Eriksson B. , Francis R. , Hjortendal R. , Lindberg L.‐I. , Sävström B.
Published: July 2007

This paper gives an overview of some methods and procedures used to assure product reliability within Ericsson Telecom AB. The main focus in this paper is on hardware (HW) reliability at board and component level. The evolution of customer–vendor relations over the years is addressed. Some new concepts in complex component reliability assurance are described. Experience from field service is summarized.

This information is open and may be subject to change at any time.
Local‐area network reliability models
Authors: Spragins John
Published: July 2007

This paper describes analyses of reliabilities of local area networks (LANs) designed according to the most common IEEE 802 standards: the token ring architecture (IEEE 802.5, basically the IBM token ring architecture), carrier sense multiple access/collision detection (CSMA/CD) bus architecture (IEEE 802.3, basically the Ethernet architecture) and token bus architecture (IEEE 802.4, the recommended LAN architecture for the manufacturing atomation protocol, MAP). Each of these architectures is assumed to be implemented using electrical conductors; newer architectures using fibre optics (such as FDDI) are currently being studied.

The primary reliability parameter studied is average source‐destination availability. The models are based on information in the standards plus implementation details, using more implementation details than previous reliability models. Approximate analyses, which reflect all architecture details that appear to be pertinent to availability, have been developed, rather than exact analyses which ignore fine details. One conclusion is that details neglected in previous models have major effects on, and may be the most important factors determining, source–destination availability. At present, no measured values for the relevant parameters are obtainable, however, so all of our computations are based on arbitrary ‘guesstimates’ of these parameter values.

A few other conclusions can be reached. Since major components of the bus networks (CSMA/CD and token bus) are similar, reliabilities of these networks are also similar, with differences determined primarily by differences in parameters. Adequate data to describe these differences were not obtainable, so our example computations for the two bus networks yield essentially the same results. Although its use of an active communications medium, instead of the passive bus used by the other architectures, may decrease reliability of the token ring, the token ring architecture gives more flexibility in bypassing or recovering from error situations. In some situations this could make the token ring the most reliable LAN, but ‘reasonable’ choices of parameter values could make any of the LANs most reliable. If many stations are inactive, however, any reliability advantage for token rings would be eliminated by even a small probability that inactive stations are not successfully bypassed
Real‐time empirical bayes manufacturing process monitoring for censored data
Authors: Feltz Carol J. , Sturm George W.
Published: July 2007

Because of the current work in manufacturing electronics which links high‐speed test sets to host computers, it is now possible to collect and analyse measurements seconds after a product is tested. However, some of the actual measurements may often not be collected. This paper describes a technique to monitor right‐censored, left‐censored or both right‐ and left‐censored manufacturing data. Also, the technique is applicable to ‘interval’ censored data; data that is censored when it occurs in an interval, with uncensored observations above and below the interval. This ‘interval’ censoring can occur when automatic test equipment cannot transmit data and test at the same time. To increase production volume through the test area, measurements are often collected only when a test fails.

The method described is designed to monitor a manufacturing process in real‐time with the goal of identifying process changes as they occur. An empirical Bayes model of the process response parameters is developed for the situation when censoring is present. Estimates for the model are developed, a strategy for implementing the model is given and an example is presented which illustrates its use to monitor a process.
An exploratory study of a neural network approach for reliability data analysis
Authors: Liu Ming C. , Kuo Way , Sastri Tep
Published: July 2007

The results of this paper show that neural networks could be a very promising tool for reliability data analysis. Identifying the underlying distribution of a set of failure data and estimating its distribution parameters are necessary in reliability engineering studies. In general, either a chi‐square or a non‐parametric goodness‐of‐fit test is used in the distribution identification process which includes the pattern interpretation of the failure data histograms. However, those procedures can guarantee neither an accurate distribution identification nor a robust parameter estimation when small data samples are available. Basically, the graphical approach of distribution fitting is a pattern recognition problem and parameter estimation is a classification problem where neural networks have been proved to be a suitable tool. This paper presents an exploratory study of a neural network approach, validated by simulated experiments, for analysing small‐sample reliability data. A counter‐propagation network is used in classifying normal, uniform, exponential and Weibull distributions. A back‐propagation network is used in the parameter estimation of a two‐parameter Weibull distribution.
A method for the calculation of the softerror rate of sub‐μm dynamic logic cmos circuits
Authors: Juhnke T. , Bringmann M.‐P. , Klar H.
Published: July 2007

As a prerequisite for predicting the soft‐error rate (SER) of CMOS circuits with dynamic registers a method to calculate the SER is presented which takes into account charge collection by drift and diffusion. It has been found that besides collection due to drift, the noise charge collected by diffusion has to be considered to accurately predict the SER of dynamic CMOS circuits. Calculated results are compared to device simulations and SER measurements.
ESD protection elements during hbm stress tests—further numerical and experimental results
Authors: Russ Christian , Gieser Horst , Verhaege Koen
Published: July 2007

Correlation problems for HBM‐ESD testing result from the complex interaction between device and tester. The HBM stresses of different well‐characterized testers1.2 are applied to protection elements. By means of circuit simulations and in situ measurements, snapback and second breakdown during HBM are investigated. For fast transient events, a new transmission line approach of the tester improves the correlation between experiment and simulation.
Fracture mechanical characterization of IC‐device interfaces
Authors: Burger K.
Published: July 2007

To characterize the bond‐strength or adhesion of the different interfaces in plastic encapsulated ICs a fracture‐mechanical test method has been used. For this four‐point‐bend test a preparation method has been developed to get the four‐point‐bend test samples out of the moulded IC devices.

The measurement of the adhesion along the main phase boundaries of plastic encapsulated devices before and after stress‐tests (HAST, pressure‐cooker, solder dips, temperature cycles) was done also to characterize the change in bond‐strength during those tests.

A mechanical model is presented which helps to describe the PC‐specific corrosion phenomena as well as failures resulting from temperature cycle tests.
in situ failure detection in thick film multilayer systems
Authors: Manca J. , de Schepper L. , de Ceuninck W. , D'Olieslaeger M. , Stals L. M.
Published: July 2007

By means of in situ e.m.f.‐measurements, leakage current measurements and impedance spectroscopy, it has been possible for the first time to detect spontaneous and forced blistering in thick film multilayers during formation at high temperatures. Also the occurrence of high temperature shorts in Ag‐dielectric‐Ag multilayers under DC‐bias was detectable.
Total quality control for a surface mount technology process for the manufacture of printed circuit board assemblies
Authors: Chan Ling‐Yau , Law Lawrence Wing‐Tung
Published: July 2007

Surface mount technology is used widely nowadays in the manufacture of printed circuit board assemblies in the electronics industry. The occurrence of defective products when this technology is used is mostly caused by technological problems, but sometimes it is also caused by management problems or human errors. When technological problems are being tackled, human interactions will always be involved. This is because the quality of a product is related to the quality of the material, the design of the product and the manufacturing process, and as tasks are subdivided, problems occurring in production cannot be solved completely by the sole effort of a single individual. Hence improvement of product quality involes man, machine, and material. This article explains how quality problems arising from surface mount technology are tackled by team effort in an organization via the implementation of a process‐oriented total quality control system.
Development of 3‐D shape measurement system using fiber grating
Authors: Nakazawa Kazuo , Nakajima Masato , Kobayashi Hirosi
Published: July 2007

There is an increasing demand in industry and medicine for the noncontact measurement of the shape of a 3‐D object. Various studies are being made to develop highly accurate and simple means of such measurements. When a laser light is incident to the fiber grating in the vertical direction, a square spot array is produced. When the array is projected on a 3‐D object with a general shape, the array is distorted. By using the distortion as the data for the processing, the 3‐D shape can be measured strictly. This paper reports on the 3‐D shape measurement using an optical fiber grating. No particular application is considered in the design of the system. The projector of the spot array can be constructed with a lightweight and small size, and it is suitable as a built‐in device for the endoscopy, or a visual device to be installed directly on the industrial robot arm.
Cooperative integration of multiple stereo matching algorithms
Authors: Watanabe Masaki , Ohta Yuichi
Published: July 2007

This paper describes a method in which three kinds of stereo matching methods based on different image features are integrated by a cooperative processing to realize a matching search system applicable to a wide range of objects. In other words, the point‐based matching using correlation, the interval‐based matching using edges and the segment‐based matching using connected edges are combined. The module for dedicated execution of each algorithm is provided, and the modules execute the matching search in parallel. Whenever necessary, the partial result of the processing is exchanged to realize a complementary cooperation.

Each module continues the processing for the part which can be processed without being assisted by other modules. Then, considering each local area of the image, the best‐suited algorithm is selected and applied automatically according to the situation. Each module evaluates the extent of confidence of its own processing, and the reliability score is attached when the result of processing is exchanged. The module receiving the data appropriately considers the received data into its own processing, according to the confidence. The disparity image generation module integrates the results of three matchings according to the extent of confidence. The method is applied to several stereo images, and the usefulness of the proposed method is demonstrated.
Description and recognition of animal silhouette image using ellipsoid‐expansion
Authors: Hara Junichi , Kato Hirokazu , Inokuchi Seiji
Published: July 2007

Although objects in most computer vision have been assumed to be “solid bodies,” this assumption is not always true in practice; for example, a horse can be an object. It has been known that humans recognize such an object by dividing it into several parts, each of which has a recognizable feature. This process is important also for computer processing.

This paper proposes pattern recognition of a silhouette of an animal using the relative position of each part of its body. The process is to segment each region of the silhouette and to describe the characteristic of each part and the relationship between a part and its adjacent part.

A new method, the “ellipsoid‐expansion method,” based on an ellipsoid fitting, is proposed to segment a silhouette. This method uses an ellipse which is fitted to a region by expanding the ellipse and by producing a reaction when the expanded ellipse exceeds the contour of the region. This method is not influenced by details of the shape of the object and withstands shifts, change of scaling, and rotation of the shape. Recognition of each part of the silhouette of an animal is tested by identifying the description of each part of a basic model of the animal and the description of its silhouette. Examples of identification of animals are carried out using some simple cases.
Iranian Studies in the Netherlands
Authors: de Bruijn J.T.P.
Published: July 2007

Up to the end of the Middle Ages, the opportunities to acquire information about the world of Islam were very few in the Low Countries. Moreover, the little knowledge which could be derived from books, from the participation in a crusade, or from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, did not reach much futher than the coasts of the Mediterranean. The Iranian hinterland of the countries inhabited by Saracens and Turks remained beyond the horizon of the Dutch, intellectually as well as in terms of actual experience

Direct contacts with Iran developed only in the early 17th century when, shortly after the establishment of an independent republic of the Netherlands, the “United Provinces,” Dutch trade began to expand to the four corners of the world. The first journey of a Dutch fleet to the East Indies and back was completed in 1597.
Nadir Shah and the Ja'fari Madhhab Reconsidered
Authors: Tucker Ernest
Published: July 2007

In less than twenty years, Nadir Shah built an empire across Iran, India, and Central Asia. When he took the throne on the Mughan steppe in 1148/1736, Nadir confronted the problem of how to legitimize his reign after two centuries of Shi'i Safavid rule. He attempted to solve this problem, in part, by challenging Iran's Twelver Shi'i identity.

Nadir proposed to the Ottomans that Twelver Shi'ism be considered a fifth school of Sunni Islam, to be called the Ja'fari madhhab after the sixth Imam, Ja'far al-Sadiq. In exchange for Shi'i renunciation of such practices as sabb (the ritual cursing of the first three caliphs), Nadir proposed that the Ottomans give this Ja'fari madhhab all the privileges enjoyed by the four Sunni schools, and that a fifth pillar be erected in the Ka'bah in Mecca to commemorate it. He asked that the Ottomans allow him to appoint the leader of the annual ḥajj caravan from Iran.
Ethnonational Identity, Security and the Implosion of Yugoslavia: The Case of Montenegro and the Relationship with Serbia
Authors: Cross Sharyl , Komnenich Pauline
Published: July 2007

While traditional ethnic/religious rivals had been incorporated to form the modern multiethnic communist nation-state of Yugoslavia under the forceful presence of Marshall Broz Tito, the collapse of the communist bloc and ensuing revolutionary/democratization wave engulfing East-Central Europe created tremendous uncertainty and the perception of a power vacuum throughout the former communist bloc. Conflicts would erupt based on distinctions along traditional cultural/ethnic lines. The struggle for control and territory among Yugoslavia's political elite ultimately resulted in a series of secessionist conflicts in Croatia (1991–1992), Bosnia-Herzegovina (1992–1995) and most recently Kosovo (1999).
(Re)Presenting Identities: National Archipelagos in Kazan1
Authors: Veinguer Aurora Álvarez
Published: July 2007

The Republic of Tatarstan is located between Europe and Asia. It is important to emphasize geographical location, which is a key element in the processes of identities formation and transformation. Tatarstan is located in the core of the Russian Federation, situated in the European part of Russia and 800 kilometres from Moscow, at the confluence of the Volga and the Kama Rivers. The capital of Tatarstan is Kazan. The economic potential of the republic is based mainly on raw materials (including oil and gas), industry and agriculture. According to the constitution of the republic (approved on 6 November 1992) Tatarstan (previously known as Tataria) is defined as a multiethnic republic, with two official languages, Russian and Tatar. The largest ethnic groups are Tatars and Russians; as a consequence it makes sense to talk in terms of a bicultural society with two main confessional groups, namely Muslim and Orthodox Christians.
ALCOHOLISM AND ALCOHOL ABUSE — A COUNTRY HOSPITAL'S APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM
Authors: Whitington Ron
Published: July 2007

For some years the hospital executive and staff had been aware of the problems caused by alcohol in the community, and of the importance of alcohol abuse as a cause of hospital admissions. A meeting was held in November 1978, to discuss the setting up of an alcohol treatment program, and an alcohol program committee was formed. It consisted of hospital executives, doctors, nurses, community health staff and members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and was responsible for drawing up the Alcohol Withdrawal Program used at the hospital.

The program attempts to use the crisis of withdrawal to motivate the sick alcoholic into a change of attitude and hopefully a successful induction into AA. No drugs are used. Instead, AA members sit with the patient and help them through the crisis.

The functions of the Alcohol Program Committee are briefly described.
THE ROYAL PRINCE ALFRED HOSPITAL DETOXIFICATION UNIT
Authors: Burns F. Harding , Flamer H.E. , Morey S. , Novak H.
Published: July 2007

A non‐medical detoxification centre was established at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in 1981. In the first six months, 499 patients were admitted a total of 906 times: 22% of admissions were referred by medical officers and 49% of patients were referred for further rehabilitation. Only 6% of admissions needed to be referred to the Emergency Department for medical examination. Non‐medical detoxification units can complement the other services offered at a general hospital.
THE POLITICS OF ADDICTION
Authors: Tyrrell M. S.
Published: July 2007

The politics of addiction is considered within the Karpman Victim‐Persecutor‐Rescuer (VPR) cycle, which is seen to apply at community level to addiction matters. The New England Foundation for Addiction (NEFA) is a regional registered action body whose strategies and raison d'etre are viewed within the VPR framework as supplied to community denial and the closely related politics of addiction.