Abstract
The detection and location of faulty passive components is crucial in testing printed circuit boards. This issue is one of the objectives to be satisfied by the development of a mixed-signal test bus standard - IEEE P1149.4 - now on the final phase of evaluation. In this paper a method is presented that enables electronic in-circuit testing for presence and value of passive components, based on the use of analogue boundary modules like those developed under P1149.4, but making use of the positive power supply rail as an analogue test line. This method allows saving one analogue test line while profiting from the eventual presence of current sensors inserted for power supply current monitoring.

Abstract
The development of a mixed-signal test bus infrastructure - IEEE P1149.4 - is now in the final stages of the standardization process. Evaluating the test capabilities enabled by this infrastructure is an important step needed to support it as a well established standard. This paper presents experiments carried out with a test chip provided by the P1149.4 working group, which explore the architecture of the proposed analog boundary module to implement alternative testing methods. These include a method for parametric testing of passive components based on the monitoring of the power supply current, and a mixed current/voltage technique allowing the implementation of correlation for testing analog and mixed-signal macros.

Abstract
The common menopausal symptoms of a growing number of women treated for breast cancer poses difficult therapeutic decisions to the Gynaecologist. It has been extensively demonstrated that hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) is the most effective treatment of such symptoms, as well as protecting women from cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and increased mortality related to these disorders. However, breast cancer is classically considered a contraindication to HRT. In this paper we review the existing evidence regarding the influence of HRT on breast cancer. A computerized bibliographical search (MEDLINE) of literature in the English-language literature published in the last 15 years was conducted, followed by a hand search of references found in these papers. Evidence on the response of breast cancer cells to HRT is derived from animal studies, tissue growth system experiments, indirect epidemiological data and clinical data. While the bulk of experimental evidence points towards a proliferative effect of estrogen on breast cancer cells, almost all clinical reports have found no adverse effects of HRT on these patients. In our opinion, currently existing evidence does not justify the denial of HRT to breast cancer patients whose quality of life is at stake. Such is the case of women with intense menopausal symptoms unresponsive to alternative therapies. This opinion is shared by numerous other authors and a small number of eminent institutions. We believe it is safer to avoid HRT, in asymptomatic women as long-term regimens would be needed for protection against cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, and the risks of such regimens have yet to be evaluated. We also believe that large randomized trials are now ethically justified and greatly needed to obtain safer data on this subject.

Abstract
The use of cross-correlation between power supply current and output voltage dynamic responses is presented as a methodology for improved mixed current /voltage testing of analogue and mixed-signal circuits. Results obtained from simulations are presented which show that better fault coverage and a simplification of test circuitry can be obtained, when compared with the results obtained from the direct observation of the individual signals. These advantages are important factors to develop viable new design for testability and buil-in self test techniques. © 1996 IEEE.

Abstract

Abstract
In this paper, we present an application of the simulation annealing optimization algorithm to the problem of high-level synthesis of digital systems, targeted to architectures with run-time reconfigurable functional units. The scheduling, allocation and binding problems are treated simultaneously. Reconfiguration times and execution delays are taken into account, along with pipelined execution and precise clock cycles for consumption of each operand.