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A 2G high-temperature-superconducting (HTS) undulator with cryogen-free cooling is under development at the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC). The design of the superconducting undulator requires the application of 2G high-temperature-superconductor tape in place of the traditional NbTi superconducting wires, and sets the working temperature to 25 K, which can be attained with a cryo-cooler. The superconducting undulator is thus no longer restricted by liquid helium. A special winding method with a resistive joint has been designed to allow modularization of the tape during winding, to facilitate that process. Moreover, the cooling channel has a sandwich structure designed for direct cooling of the resistive joint using the cryo-cooler. The cryogen-free concept, the design of the magnet core and the winding method of the HTS undulator are discussed in this paper along with measurement of the contact resistance and details of the testing of a seven pole prototype immersed in an LN2 bath.

In this paper, we will combine an upwind radial basis function-finite element with direct velocity–pressure formulation to study the two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations with free surface flows. We will examine this formulation in an improved mixed-order finite element and localized radial basis function method. A particle tracking method and the arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian scheme will then be applied to simulate the two-dimensional high Reynolds free surface flows. An upwind improved finite element formulation based on a localized radial basis function differential quadrature (LRBFDQ) method is used to deal with high Reynolds number convection dominated flows. This study successfully obtained very high Reynolds number free surface flows, up to Re = 500 000. Finally, we will demonstrate and discuss the capability and feasibility of the proposed model by simulating two complex free surface flow problems: (1) a highly nonlinear free oscillation flow and (2) a large amplitude sloshing problem. Using even very coarse grids in all computing scenarios, we have achieved good results in accuracy and efficiency.

AbstractThis study investigated the flow bifurcations of flows driven by a pressure gradient in a rectangular curved tube. When fluid flows within a curved tube, due to the centrifugal effect, secondary vortices can be induced in the cross section of the tube. The secondary flow states are dependent on the magnitude of the pressure gradient (q) and the aspect ratio (γ). In this study, the continuation method was applied to investigate the flow bifurcations in a curved tube with increasing pressure gradient (1 < q< 6000) and aspect ratio (0.9 < γ< 1.4).The bifurcation diagrams are composed of solution branches, which are linked by limiting points or bifurcation points. The flow states in a solution branch belong to the same group. The ranges of the flow states and the relationship between the states can also be derived from the bifurcation diagrams. In this study, two types of bifurcation were found, one in the range of 0.9 < γ< 1.17, and another in the range of 1.18 < γ< 1.4. The ranges of stable flow solutions and the distributions of limit and bifurcation points in both pressure gradient and aspect ratio are derived in this study.

A prodrome is an early set of symptoms, which indicates the onset of a disease; these symptoms are often non-specific. Prodromal phases are now recognized in multiple central nervous system diseases. The depth of understanding of the prodromal phase varies across diseases, being more nascent for multiple sclerosis for example, than for Parkinson disease or Alzheimer's disease. Key challenges when identifying the prodromal phase of a disease include the lack of specificity of prodromal symptoms, and consequent need for accessible and informative biomarkers. Further, heterogeneity of the prodromal phase may be influenced by age, sex, genetics and other poorly understood factors. Nonetheless, recognition that an individual is in the prodromal phase of disease offers the opportunity for earlier diagnosis and with it the opportunity for earlier intervention.

AbstractA continuation method, accompanied with a linear stability analysis, is employed to investigate the bifurcation diagram of the flow solutions, as well as the multiple flow states in a cavity with different aspect ratios for parallel motion of two facing lids. The Reynolds number proportional to the wall velocity is used as the continuation parameter, and the evolution of the bifurcation diagrams in cases with different aspect ratios is illustrated. The induced flow patterns are highly dependent upon both the aspect ratios and the moving velocity of the walls. Three different types of bifurcation diagrams and their corresponding flow states are classified according to the aspect ratios. One stable symmetric flow state and one stable asymmetric flow state are identified. The stable asymmetric flow state is obtained at a high aspect ratio and a low Reynolds number. Meanwhile, the regions of stable and unstable flows are distinguished according to the different aspect ratios.

AbstractIn this study, the fictitious time integration method (FTIM) is applied to investigate wave propagation over an arbitrary bathymetry with measured uncertainty. The FTIM is used to convert the higher-order elliptic mild-slope equation (EMSE) into a FTIM like EMSE (FTIMEMSE). It has the advantage to describe wave transformation from deep water to shallow water region in a large coastal area with numerical efficiency. The validity of the noise resistance for the measured uncertainty of the bathymetry is also studied. In addition, typical examples for waves propagating over an elliptic shoal rest on a horizontal and sloping bottom is presented. It is concluded that the FTIM is robust in the numerical stability and capable of against the noise of the measurement.

ABSTRACTIn this paper, analytical particular solutions of the augmented polyharmonic spline (APS) associated with Reissner plate model are explicitly derived in order to apply the dual reciprocity method. In the derivations of the particular solutions, a coupled system of three second-ordered partial differential equations (PDEs), which governs problems of Reissner plates, is initially transformed into a single six-ordered PDE by the Hörmander operator decomposition technique. Then the particular solutions of the coupled system can be found by using the particular solution of the six-ordered PDE derived in the first author's previous study. These formulas are further implemented for solving problems of Reissner plates under arbitrary loadings. In the solution procedure, an arbitrary loading measured at some scattered points is first interpolated by the APS and a corresponding particular solution can then be approximated by using the prescribed formulas. After that the complementary homogeneous problem is formally solved by the method of fundamental solutions (MFS). Numerical experiments are carried out to validate these particular solutions.

Conventional approaches for process planning of manufacturing operations preset fixed process means and process tolerances for all operations and permit outputs to be distributed around these fixed values, provided that the final outputs meet acceptable specifications. These approaches are inappropriate for high-value and precision manufacturing processes, especially those where a complex part may suffer from process deterioration. The problem is that in these approaches, process means and process tolerances are considered to be independent decision variables, whereby the resultant process means are equal to or close to the design targets of the blueprint dimensions. In addition, they do not consider the phenomena of process shifting or deterioration as factors of manufacturing operations, but assume that process variability is small in comparison to the quality requirements. Therefore, in this study a process optimization model is introduced that simultaneously takes process means and process tolerances into account. Furthermore, it reduces process variability and offsets process deterioration by means of sequential operation adjustment. With the scheme developed in this study built into the control system, a real-time system for integrated process control and modification for making adaptive process planning can be realized.

AbstractThe use of a fusion component testing facility to study and establish, during the ITER era, the remaining scientific and technical knowledge needed by fusion Demo is considered and described in this paper. This use aims to test components in an integrated fusion nuclear environment, for the first time, to discover and understand the underpinning physical properties, and to develop improved components for further testing, in a time-efficient manner. It requires a design with extensive modularization and remote handling of activated components, and flexible hot-cell laboratories. It further requires reliable plasma conditions to avoid disruptions and minimize their impact, and designs to reduce the divertor heat flux to the level of ITER design. As the plasma duration is extended through the planned ITER level (∼103s) and beyond, physical properties with increasing time constants, progressively for ∼104s, ∼105s, and ∼106s, would become accessible for testing and R&D. The longest time constants of these are likely to be of the order of a week (∼106s). Progressive stages of research operation are envisioned in deuterium, deuterium-tritium for the ITER duration, and deuterium-tritium with increasingly longer plasma durations. The fusion neutron fluence and operational duty factor anticipated for this “scientific exploration” phase of a component test facility are estimated to be up to 1 MW-yr/m2and up to 10%, respectively.

ABSTRACTThis paper describes the combination of the method of fundamental solutions (MFS) and the dual reciprocity method (DRM) as a meshless numerical method to solve problems of thin plates resting on Winkler foundations under arbitrary loadings, where the DRM is based on the augmented polyharmonic splines constructed by splines and monomials. In the solution procedure, the arbitrary distributed loading is first approximated by the augmented polyharmonic splines (APS) and thus the desired particular solution can be represented by the corresponding analytical particular solutions of the APS. Thereafter, the complementary solution is solved formally by the MFS. In the mathematical derivations, the real coefficient operator in the governing equation is decomposed into two complex coefficient operators. In other words, the solutions obtained by the MFS-DRM are first treated in terms of these complex coefficient operators and then converted to real numbers in suitable ways. Furthermore, the boundary conditions of lateral displacement, slope, normal moment, and effective shear force are all given explicitly for the particular solutions of APS as well as the kernels of MFS. Finally, numerical experiments are carried out to validate these analytical formulas.

In this article we describe a numerical method to solve a nonhomogeneous diffusion equation with arbitrary geometry by combining the method of fundamental solutions (MFS), the method of particular solutions (MPS), and the eigenfunction expansion method (EEM). This forms a meshless numerical scheme of the MFS‐MPS‐EEM model to solve nonhomogeneous diffusion equations with time‐independent source terms and boundary conditions for any time and any shape. Nonhomogeneous diffusion equation with complex domain can be separated into a Poisson equation and a homogeneous diffusion equation using this model. The Poisson equation is solved by the MFS‐MPS model, in which the compactly supported radial basis functions are adopted for the MPS. On the other hand, utilizing the EEM the diffusion equation is first translated to a Helmholtz equation, which is then solved by the MFS together with the technique of the singular value decomposition (SVD). Since the present meshless method does not need mesh generation, nodal connectivity, or numerical integration, the computational effort and memory storage required are minimal as compared with other numerical schemes. Test results for two 2D diffusion problems show good comparability with the analytical solutions. The proposed algorithm is then extended to solve a problem with irregular domain and the results compare very well with solutions of a finite element scheme. Therefore, the present scheme has been proved to be very promising as a meshfree numerical method to solve nonhomogeneous diffusion equations with time‐independent source terms of any time frame, and for any arbitrary geometry. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2006

A reduction of friction by vibrations has been observed in various experiments. This effect can be applied to actively control frictional forces by modulating vibrations. Moreover, common methods of controlling friction rely on lubricants and suitable material combinations. The superimposition of vibrations can further reduce the friction force. This study presents a theoretical approach based on the Dahl friction model that describes the friction reduction observed in the presence of the tangential vibrations at an arbitrary angle. Analysis results indicated that the tangential compliance should be considered in modeling the effect of vibrations in reducing friction. At any vibration angle, the tangential compliance of the contacts reduces the friction reduction effect. The vibrations parallel to the macroscopic velocity are most effective for friction reduction.

Titania nanotube aggregates with different porosities were prepared from hydrothermal treatment on commercial TiO2 particles in NaOH followed by HCl washing. Pore structure analysis reflects that pores of smaller sizes are mainly contributed by the nanotubes while those of larger sizes are contributed by the interspace region of the aggregates. The hydrothermal treatment temperature, ranging within 110−150 °C, was shown to affect not only the extent of particle-to-sheet conversion, and thus the resulting structures of the nanotubes, but also the anatase-to-rutile transformation at high temperatures. The surface area of the nanotube aggregates increases with the treatment temperature to reach a maximum of ca. 400 m²/g at 130 °C, and then decreases with further increase of the temperature. In HCl washing, both the charge-removal rate and final state of the electrostatic charges on TiO2 affect the rolling of TiO2 sheets into nanotubes. This demonstrates that the nanotube structure can be regulated by adjusting the washing condition. Selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3 has been conducted to prove that the vast surface of the nanotube aggregates is accessible to the interacting molecules.

The crystallization of the PLLA block within the microphase-separated lamellar microdomain in a poly(styrene)-b-poly(l-lactide) (PS-PLLA) diblock copolymer was carried out from hard confinement (i.e., the crystallization temperature of PLLA (Tc,PLLA) &lt; the glass transition temperature of PS (Tg,PS)) to soft confinement (i.e., Tc,PLLA ≥ Tg,PS), where interesting morphological evolution was observed. At Tc,PLLA &lt; Tg,PS, a typical confined morphology was obtained, while at Tc,PLLA ≥ Tg,PS, a unique undulated morphology was seen for the first time. The amplitude and periodicity of the undulation instability are dependent upon the orientation of microphase-separated lamellae. The PLLA crystals under confinement formed perpendicular morphology having crystalline chains normal to the lamellae as evidenced by 2D small-angle X-ray scattering and wide-angle X-ray scattering. On the basis of morphological observations and crystallization kinetics studies, the undulation instability can be attributed to the change of crystallization mechanism from hard to soft confinement, which coincides with the transition from homogeneous to heterogeneous nucleation.

The effect of paeoniflorin (an active principle of Paeoniae Radix, commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine) on the release of noradrenaline (norepineprhine) from nerve terminals was investigated using guinea‐pig isolated ileal synaptosomes. Release was determined as the amount of noradrenaline, quantified by high‐performance liquid chromatography‐electrochemical detection, from samples incubated with paeoniflorin or vehicle. Paeoniflorin stimulated the release of noradrenaline in a concentration‐dependent manner without an effect on the level of lactate dehydrogenase in the bathing medium. Tetrodotoxin abolished the action of paeoniflorin at concentrations sufficient to block sodium channels. The depolarizing effect of paeoniflorin on the membrane potential was also illustrated by a concentration‐dependent increase in the fluorescence of bisoxonol. Moreover, the effect of paeoniflorin on bisoxonol fluorescence in ileal synaptosomes seems more potent than that of 4‐aminopyridine. That paeoniflorin causes influx of calcium ions via the depolarization of nerve terminals could be considered. The noradrenaline‐releasing action of paeoniflorin was abolished by removal of calcium chloride from the bathing medium. This action of paeoniflorin was also attenuated by Rp‐cAMP at concentrations sufficient to inhibit the action of cyclic AMP. Therefore, paeoniflorin could induce a calcium‐dependent and cyclic‐AMP‐related release of noradrenaline from sympathetic nerve terminals of guinea‐pig ileum. Guanethidine inhibited the noradrenaline‐releasing action of paeoniflorin in a concentration‐dependent manner. The effect of paeoniflorin on the increase of bisoxonol fluorescence was not modified by atropine. Release of noradrenaline by paeoniflorin from noradrenergic nerve terminals was characterized. These findings suggest that paeoniflorin can stimulate tetrodotoxin‐sensitive depolarization of membranes to result in a calcium‐dependent and cyclic‐AMP‐related release of noradrenaline from noradrenergic nerve terminals.

The effect of paeoniflorin (an active principle of Paeoniae Radix, commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine) on the release of noradrenaline (norepineprhine) from nerve terminals was investigated using guinea-pig isolated ileal synaptosomes. Release was determined as the amount of noradrenaline, quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection, from samples incubated with paeoniflorin or vehicle. Paeoniflorin stimulated the release of noradrenaline in a concentration-dependent manner without an effect on the level of lactate dehydrogenase in the bathing medium. Tetrodotoxin abolished the action of paeoniflorin at concentrations sufficient to block sodium channels. The depolarizing effect of paeoniflorin on the membrane potential was also illustrated by a concentration-dependent increase in the fluorescence of bisoxonol. Moreover, the effect of paeoniflorin on bisoxonol fluorescence in ileal synaptosomes seems more potent than that of 4-aminopyridine. That paeoniflorin causes influx of calcium ions via the depolarization of nerve terminals could be considered. The noradrenaline-releasing action of paeoniflorin was abolished by removal of calcium chloride from the bathing medium. This action of paeoniflorin was also attenuated by Rp-cAMP at concentrations sufficient to inhibit the action of cyclic AMP. Therefore, paeoniflorin could induce a calcium-dependent and cyclic-AMP-related release of noradrenaline from sympathetic nerve terminals of guinea-pig ileum. Guanethidine inhibited the noradrenaline-releasing action of paeoniflorin in a concentration-dependent manner. The effect of paeoniflorin on the increase of bisoxonol fluorescence was not modified by atropine. Release of noradrenaline by paeoniflorin from noradrenergic nerve terminals was characterized. These findings suggest that paeoniflorin can stimulate tetrodotoxin-sensitive depolarization of membranes to result in a calcium-dependent and cyclic-AMP-related release of noradrenaline from noradrenergic nerve terminals.

A yeast two-hybrid screen using the conserved carboxyl terminus of the nuclear receptor corepressor SMRT as a bait led to the isolation of a novel human gene termed SHARP (SMRT/HDAC1 Associated Repressor Protein). SHARP is a potent transcriptional repressor whose repression domain (RD) interacts directly with SMRT and at least five members of the NuRD complex including HDAC1 and HDAC2. In addition, SHARP binds to the steroid receptor RNA coactivator SRA via an intrinsic RNA binding domain and suppresses SRA-potentiated steroid receptor transcription activity. Accordingly, SHARP has the capacity to modulate both liganded and nonliganded nuclear receptors. Surprisingly, the expression of SHARP is itself steroid inducible, suggesting a simple feedback mechanism for attenuation of the hormonal response.

Record beta and density values have been obtained at the Small Tight Aspect Ratio Tokamak in the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Agency (UKAEA) Fusion Culham Science Centre by using Oak Ridge National Laboratory's (ORNL's) neutral beam injector for plasma heating. This result has improved the prospects for a future spherical tokamak (ST) fusion core device. To address the physics issues of ST plasmas and the technology of neutral beam heating, ORNL neutral beam injectors have been installed on the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak (MAST) at UKAEA Culham. The goal of the injectors is to provide a neutral beam heating power of 5 MW for 0.5 s, or up to 4 MW for 5 s. To achieve 5-s operation at the required power level of 4 MW, the existing oxide-filament cathode must be replaced with a cathode having long-pulse capability.In 1983 ORNL developed an advanced positive ion source having long-pulse capability for 50-A and 80-keV hydrogen ion beams. The indirectly heated cathode technology developed for the advanced positive ion source will be utilized to fulfill requirements of long-pulse neutral beam heating on MAST plasmas. The cathode utilizes an electron emitter made of lanthanum oxide (La2O3) doped molybdenum. The cathode is heated by a graphite heater and insulated by a heat shield. The heat shield is made of multiple layers of tantalum sheet. Details of design and performance of such long-pulse cathodes are reported and discussed.

Reactive oxygen species have been implicated as important pathological mediators in many clinical disorders, including periodontal disease. As a possible alternative for the treatment of periodontal disease, the antimicrobial activity of six tannins isolated from Vaccinium vitis-idaeaL., with confirmed antioxidant activity, were assayed by the agar dilution method against selected periodontal pathogens, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalisand Prevotella intermedia.The results showed that epicatechin-(4β → 8)-epicatechin-(4β → 8, 2β → O → 7)-catechin had strong antimicrobial activity against P. gingivalisand P. intermedia, but not A. actinomycetemcomitans.The other tannins tested did not show antimicrobial activity. We conclude that tannins isolated from V. vitis-idaeaL. with antimicrobial activity could potentially be used for the treatment of periodontal disease.

Reactive oxygen species have been implicated as important pathological mediators in many clinical disorders, including periodontal disease. As a possible alternative for the treatment of periodontal disease, the antimicrobial activity of six tannins isolated from Vaccinium vitis‐idaeaL., with confirmed antioxidant activity, were assayed by the agar dilution method against selected periodontal pathogens, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalisand Prevotella intermedia.The results showed that epicatechin‐(4β → 8)‐epicatechin‐(4β → 8, 2β → O → 7)‐catechin had strong antimicrobial activity against P. gingivalisand P. intermedia, but not A. actinomycetemcomitans.The other tannins tested did not show antimicrobial activity. We conclude that tannins isolated from V. vitis‐idaeaL. with antimicrobial activity could potentially be used for the treatment of periodontal disease.

Abrus agglutinin (AAG), a low-toxicity protein from the plant Abrus precatorius, is less lethal than abrina (ABRa) in mice (LD(50) = 5 mg/kg versus 20 microg/kg of body weight). Nucleotide sequence analysis of a cDNA clone encoding full-length AAG showed an open reading frame with 1641 base pairs, corresponding to a 547-amino acid residue preproprotein containing a signal peptide and a linker region (two amino acid residues) between the AAG-A and AAG-B subunits. AAG had high homology to ABRa (77.8%). The 13 amino acid residues involved in catalytic function, which are highly conserved among abrins and ricins, were also conserved within AAG-A. The protein synthesis inhibitory activity of AAG-A (IC(50) = 3.5 nM) was weaker than that of ABRa-A (0.05 nM). Molecular modeling followed by site-directed mutagenesis showed that Pro(199) of AAG-A, located in amphiphilic helix H and corresponding to Asn(200) of ABRa-A, can induce bending of helix H. This bending would presumably affect the binding of AAG-A to its target sequence, GpApGpAp, in the tetraloop structure of the 28 S rRNA subunit and could be one of the major factors contributing to the relatively weak protein synthesis inhibitory activity and toxicity of AAG.

Reactive oxygen molecules have been implicated as important pathological mediators in many clinical disorders and periodontal disease. To provide possible alternative treatment of periodontal disease, six tannins isolated from Vaccinium vitis-idaeaL. were evaluated for anti-lipid peroxidation, anti-superoxide formation and free radical scavenging activity.The results showed that cinnamtannin B1displayed the strongest anti-lipid peroxidation activity, proanthocyanidin A-1 displayed the strongest superoxide scavenging activity, and epicatechin-(4βr̊ 6)-epicatechin-(4β 8, 2r̊ O r̊ 7)-catechin had the strongest anti-superoxide formation effect.We conclude that tannins isolated from V. vitis-idaeaL. exhibited multiple antioxidant activity, and could be used for the treatment of periodontal disease.

Reactive oxygen molecules have been implicated as important pathological mediators in many clinical disorders and periodontal disease. To provide possible alternative treatment of periodontal disease, six tannins isolated from Vaccinium vitis‐idaeaL. were evaluated for anti‐lipid peroxidation, anti‐superoxide formation and free radical scavenging activity.

The injection of energetic hydrogen and deuterium atoms has been used to heat plasmas in various fusion experimental devices including tokamaks, mirrors, and stellarators. The neutral beam injection is a proven plasma heating technique for increasing plasma densities, temperatures, and pressures. For this fusion endeavor, scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have developed multimegawatt neutral beam injectors. Various ORNL injectors have been used for studying properties of beam-heated plasmas in Oak Ridge Tokamak (ORMAK), Impurity Study Experiment-B (ISX-B), Advanced Toroidal Facility (ATF), Princeton Large Torus (PLT), and Princeton Divertor Experiment (PDX) in the United States and in Small Tight Aspect Ratio Tokamak (START) in the United Kingdom. By using a 30-cm and 100-A ion source, each ORNL neutral beam injector is capable of injecting > 1.5 MW of hydrogen atoms at 50-keV for a pulse length up to 0.5 s.For increasing plasma densities and raising plasma temperatures in START, one such injector was installed and commissioned during 1995. The initial goal was to provide an injected neutral beam power of more than 0.5 MW at a beam energy of 40 keV for 20 ms. Addition of a getter pump has allowed the beam power to be raised to 1 MW at 33 keV. Recent experiments have demonstrated that neutral beam heating can play a big role in raising plasma pressures to a record volume-average beta value over 30%.ORNL neutral beam injectors have been approved for plasma heating experiments on both the TJ-II stellarator at CIEMAT, Spain, and the Mega-Amp Spherical Tokamak (MAST) at Culham Science Centre (Culham). Two proven ORNL NB injectors are being installed at the TJ-II facility. Additional ORNL beam equipment is being used to implement two 5-s NB injectors at the MAST facility. In this paper, we report and discuss the progress and plans for these neutral beam activities.

Abstract:  Primary adrenal lymphoma is extremely rare. We describe a 64-year-old female patient who presented with fever of unknown origin. Imaging studies demonstrated bilateral bulky adrenal masses. She underwent bilateral adrenalectomy and the pathological diagnosis was large cell immunoblastic (B-cell) lymphoma. She received adjuvant combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone in the following 6 months. She has been relapse free for 52 months. To the best of our knowledge, this case has the longest disease-free survival among those reported. The present case indicated that primary adrenal lymphoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of fever of unknown origin and/or suprarenal mass. Chemotherapy following surgical resection may be considered the treatment of choice.

A pin grid array (PGA) package router is described. Given a chip cavity with a number of I/O pads around its boundary and an equivalent number of pins distributed on the substrate, the objective of the router is to complete the planar interconnection of pad-to-pin nets on one or more layers. This router consists of three phases: layer assignment, topological routing and geometrical routing. Examples tested on a windows-based environment show that our router is efficient and can complete the routing task with less substrate layers. Compared to manual routing, this router has a user-friendly graphic interface and can be applied practically to industrial strength VLSI packaging.