Computer technology standardization activities

NAA is a quantitative method. Quantification can be performed by comparison to standards or by computation from basic principles (parametric analysis). A certified reference material specifically for trace impurities in silicon is not currently available. Since neutron and y rays are penetrating radiations (free from absorption problems, such as those found in X-ray fluorescence), matrix matching between the sample and the comparator standard is not critical. Biological trace impurities standards (e.g., the National Institute of Standards and Technology Standard Rference Material, SRM 1572 Citrus Leaves) can be used as reference materials. For the parametric analysis many instrumental fiictors, such as the neutron flux density and the efficiency of the detector, must be well known. The activation equation can be used to determine concentrations ... 

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. (IEEE). 3 Park Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10016-5997, U.S.A. Phone +1 212-419-7900, Fax +1 212-752-4929. E-mail stds-info ieee.org. URL http //www.ieee.org. IEEE is a non-profit, technical professional association of more than 360,000 individual members in approximately 175 countries. The IEEE Industry Standards and Technology Organization is a separate corporation closely affiliated with the IEEE. IEEE standards and publications are in technical areas ranging from biomedical technology and computer engineering to electric power, aerospace, and consumer electronics. They have almost 900 active standards with 700 under development. IEEE standards can be searched and purchased on their Web site. The site also links to portals for IEEE standards activities in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. 

One other significant benefit of this technology worth mentioning is its ability to provide Web access to key applications. The Citrix MetaFrame product is a thin-client software product that extends the capabilities of server-based computing. It creates a client in the form of a Microsoft Active X control, allowing its nsers to run their Windows applications from within a standard web browser like Internet Explorer or Netscape. 

Furthermore, computers have now become a much more "rich" medium than paper ever was. Within the last 10 years of development of the Graphical User Interface (GUI), the technology has evolved from a mere "what you see is what you get" (WYSIWYG) concept into an intelligent and multimedia-based environment. Today s computer systems can replace papers in the streamlined operation and incorporate a much more functional and intuitive way of describing process activities and outputs. A rapid development of standard systems interfaces, including Web technology, has enabled systems to contain more automatic updates and much more intuitive information access methods than the paper-based medium ever could. 

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